England Women’s Under-23s edged the Netherlands 1-0 in the WU23 European Competition semi-finals at Real Murcia in Spain.
Although the Dutch came close with the opening opportunity, it was England who dominated the first half, somehow without scoring.
Issy Goodwin couldn’t quite sort her feet to tap in the cross from Lenna Gunning-Williams, Mia Enderby saw her shot pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Regina van Eijk, while Eleanor Klinger’s clipped effort from just outside the box bounced back off the crossbar.
The woodwork denied the Young Lionesses a third time in the first 45, as Gunning-Williams cut inside and struck the ball with the outside of her foot, hitting the bar with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The second half was only 48 seconds old when Goodwin received the ball from Gunning-Williams and fired past the keeper to break the deadlock.
Chloe Sarwe put in a crucial tackle to deny Jet van Beijeren an equaliser during what was a much more even half.
Khiara Keating had little to do in the game but stopped Sophie van Vught from lobbing the ball over her in stoppage time.
The final is at 12pm BST on Friday, 17 April, live on the England YouTube channel, as Lydia Bedford’s squad will face the winners of the match between Sweden and Norway.
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