England Under-21s thrash Azerbaijan to top Group F

England Under-21s thrashed Azerbaijan 7-0 in their Euro 2025 qualifier at Ashton Gate to finish top of Group F.

Defenders Charlie Cresswell and Callum Doyle impressed on set-pieces and both scored to put Ben Futcher’s side two goals ahead at the break.

James McAtee’s header, an own goal, Elliot Anderson’s debut effort and late goals from Dane Scarlett and Omari Hutchison helped to move England ahead of Ukraine, who lost to Serbia to miss out on top spot.

England got off to a dream start. The hosts chose to play a corner short and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens whipped the ball to the back post where Cresswell evaded his marker and nodded in the opener.

Samuel Iling-Junior pulled the strings in the first half. The Aston Villa winger, who is currently on loan at Serie A side Bologna, was denied by goalkeeper Khayal Farzullayev before England won a free-kick which led to their second.

Futcher had opted for a back three and England’s additional height from their extra centre-back paid dividends. Alex Scott picked out the head of Doyle who rose highest to nod home.

Iling-Junior’s quality continued to show after the break. The 21-year-old drove at the Azerbaijan defence with blistering pace as England threw numbers into the box. The winger showed great technique with a curling side-footed cross for the in-form McAtee to head in England’s third.

The Young Lions continued to pepper the visitors’ goal as they searched for a fourth. This time, centre-back Cəlal Huseynov turned the ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Anderson from getting a touch inside the six-yard box.

But Nottingham Forest’s Anderson got the goal he deserved in the 72nd minute. Hutchinson had come off the bench in place of Iling-Junior and the former Jamaica international sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal which fell kindly for Anderson to finish first time.

England had dominated the wide areas and Hutchinson looked to exploit this once more. His left-footed cross picked out McAtee but the Manchester City man’s header hit a post.

It was not long before England got their sixth. Substitute Scarlett took advantage of a goalkeeper error to tap into an empty net.

Hutchinson got in on the act himself at the death – his first England goal and their seventh of the night.