
Morgan Rogers Shines in England U21's 4-1 Victory Over Austria
In an impressive display at Kenilworth Road, England's Under-21 team, under interim manager Ben Futcher, secured a convincing 4-1 win against Austria in a friendly match. The evening belonged to Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, who played a pivotal role by scoring twice, helping the Young Lions to their first victory under Futcher’s stewardship.
The match kicked off with an intense pace, and England had a near-instant opportunity to take the lead. Just 38 seconds into the game, Liam Delap was cautioned for what was deemed a dive in the Austrian penalty area, with referee Stéphanie Frappart dismissing England's appeals for a penalty. Despite this early setback, England quickly settled into their rhythm. Austria's Christoph Lang tested England's goalkeeper James Beadle with a free-kick, but Beadle was equal to the challenge, tipping the ball around the post.
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England's breakthrough came in the 25th minute when James McAtee, through clever footwork, won a penalty after being fouled by Austrian defender Florian Micheler. Morgan Rogers stepped up and confidently slotted the ball into the top corner, giving England a 1-0 lead. However, Austria responded ten minutes later with a well-placed long-range shot from Thierno Ballo, which equalized the score at 1-1.
The second half saw a rejuvenated England side take control of the game. Rogers quickly restored England’s lead with a stunning finesse shot four minutes after the break. The Young Lions continued to press, and McAtee added a third goal in the 59th minute with a sharp finish from inside the box, thanks to an excellent cross from Lewis Hall. Tom Fellows, making an impact as a substitute, sealed the victory with a simple tap-in from Hall’s second assist of the night in the 81st minute.
Futcher, who had been tasked with guiding the team temporarily, praised the performance, highlighting the improvement in the second half. "We were better in the second half," he said. "We had a number of chances in the first half that we didn’t take, but in the second half, we were ruthless. It could have been more, but it was a really good performance overall."
Morgan Rogers' double was particularly notable, showcasing his quality and potential. Futcher acknowledged Rogers' impact, saying, "It’s great to see him on the scoresheet. He was excellent tonight, but there were other standout performances as well."
The victory is a significant boost for England U21s as they continue their preparation for the upcoming Euro qualifying matches. With a strong performance and a few standout players, including Rogers, the Young Lions have shown they are ready to make an impact on the international stage.
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