England's Under-21s got what they needed in Stoke, just not in the way they wanted. A 0-0 draw with Slovakia was enough to book a place at Euro 2027, but it was a flat evening for a side that has won seven of its eight qualifiers.
Chances that did not go in
Lee Carsley had said his team would go for it, and they had most of the ball. Will Lankshear twice headed back across the face of goal in the first half, but neither time was there anyone to turn it in. Tyrique George nodded wide from close range, and Sydie Peck could not reach the second ball.
After the break Ethan Nwaneri shot wide and Max Alleyne hit the post. Peck tried to slot one home late on and Rico Lewis found good areas down the side, but Slovakia goalkeeper Adam Hrdina had very little to do all night.
Missing players and a big prize
England were without Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who went back to his club as a precaution, and Newcastle's Lewis Miley, who was hurt in training. The absences may explain some of the lack of cutting edge, though Carsley will not want to use them as an excuse.
The one point sends England to the finals in Albania and Serbia next year. They have dropped just four points in nine qualifiers, with two draws, and sit six clear of the Republic of Ireland at the top of Group D with one game left.
The hat-trick chase
The prize is a historic one. England won the tournament in 2023 and 2025, and a third successive title would be unprecedented. Nights like this, where the chances do not fall and the opposition keeper stays quiet, are not the end of the world in qualifying. They are a warning for the summer, when the margin for a missed header gets a lot smaller.
Match facts: England U21 0-0 Slovakia U21, Euro 2027 qualifying, Group D, Stoke, Friday 2 October 2026. No goals. England qualified for Euro 2027 in Albania and Serbia with one qualifier remaining.
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