A stunning 84th minute volley from Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard saved the blushes of the England U-21 side and breathed new life into their European Championships tournament.
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After losing their group stage opener against Portugal on Thursday night, the young Three Lions went into the game against their Swedish counterparts knowing anything less than a win would have left hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals in tatters.
Much is expected of this crop of English players and in particular Harry Kane, who enjoyed a stunning season with Spurs, but they were brought back down to earth with a huge bump against a classy Portuguese side in midweek as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Sweden, who came from behind to beat Italy in their opening game, seemed happy to settle for a point right from the start as they barely threatened Jack Butland in goal throughout, although a few long balls did cause some concern for Liam Moore in the opening 45 minutes.
The first half in truth was very poor and Kane spurned the best chance as he headed wide from close range after getting on the end of a brilliant right-wing cross from Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson.
The pair combined once again in the second half but to no avail as the former saw his effort blocked then the latter could only find the side netting from the rebound.
As time ticked away and the Three Lions’ need for a goal increasing by the minute, Liverpool-bound striker Danny Ings went down in the penalty area but the referee waved play on, and his disappointment was justified as replays showed it was a foul.
However, it would not prove to be the main talking point as Lingard finally broke the deadlock with a brilliant volley from just outside the area after the Swedish defence failed to clear a corner.
England join Sweden on three points in Group B after winning their first tournament game in six years and will now guarantee their place in the knockout stages if they are victorious over the Italians on Wednesday evening.