England U17s secured their place in Round 2 of UEFA U17 Euro qualifying on Wednesday afternoon by topping their preliminary group with their third win of the international break, a 4-2 victory over Sweden.
The Young Lions had already confirmed their place in Round 2 of qualifying with commanding wins against Malta and Latvia in Ta'Qali earlier in the week.
West Ham United U18s’ Andre Dike, who had previously made two substitute appearances in the break, earned his first start in the final group game against Sweden. Chinaza Nwosu, who had started the previous two games, was rested.
Dike marked his starting role at Centenary Stadium with a second goal for England U17s, following his debut strike in the Young Lions’ 5-0 victory over Mexico in September. His goal just after half-time, a powerful shot in off the crossbar from a tight angle, put England ahead after they had initially trailed to a goal from Sweden’s Ahmed Saeed.
England's other goals came courtesy of Chelsea's Reggie Walsh, Manchester City's Finlay Gorman, and Arsenal's Max Dowman, sealing a 4-2 win and cementing their position at the top of the group.
England’s latest result against Sweden continues their exceptional start to the 2024/25 campaign. Neil Ryan’s U17s have so far registered five victories, scoring a total of 20 goals while conceding only three in their six matches this season.
The Young Lions now advance to League A of Round 2, where they will face another four-nation group, the winners of which will qualify for the finals in Albania next summer.
Dike, Nwosu and goalkeeper Lanre Awesu now return from their England camp in Malta to rejoin their West Ham United U18s teammates in Chadwell Heath ahead of their U18s Premier League fixture against Southampton on Saturday.
