England kicked off their 2027 European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan at Ortaliq Stadion on Monday afternoon.
Lee Carsley’s side nearly took the lead inside two minutes through debutant Divin Mubama, but goalkeeper Dulat Talyspayev saved his effort.
Ethan Nwaneri eventually gave the defending champions the lead after 18 minutes, smashing the ball into the bottom corner with a left-footed finish after receiving the ball from Divin Mubama.
Borussia Dortmund summer signing Jobe Bellingham gave England a two-goal lead five minutes later, heading home Tyler Dibling’s cross.
Kazakhstan tried to fight back and created several chances, but were denied by goalkeeper James Beadle.
Nwaneri had the chance to increase the Young Lions’ lead before the end of the first half, curling a free-kick towards the top right corner, but Talyspayev parried it away.
The Arsenal youngster continued to look sharp after the break, combining with Jamie Gittens to win a free kick. The Chelsea forward curled the set piece wide of the far post.
Kazakhstan had the chance to pull one back when Alexandr Mrynskiy played Nurali Zhaksylyk down the right, but the latter could not get his effort on target.
Carsley’s side almost added to their tally against the run of play with Mubama sprinting onto a through ball at the edge of the box, but Talyspayev came off his line to clear the danger.
Kazakhstan made a late triple substitution to swing the momentum, but to no avail.
England had the final chance of the game when substitute Romain Esse’s curling shot flew across the face of goal.
