England Under-21s progressed to the quarter-finals of the Under-21 Euro 2023 Championships courtesy of a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Israel Under-21s at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi.
On the back of a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in their opening game, the Young Lions simply needed to triumph against Israel in order to confirm a spot in the knockout rounds for just the second time since 2011.
Anthony Gordon's first-half header put England well on course for the quarters, before Emile Smith Rowe continued his recent revival with a well-taken second to confirm a top-two finish for the Young Lions in Group C.
With Israel showing little desire to hustle and harry England's defenders - tactics that nearly paid dividends for the Czech Republic - Lee Carsley's men took control of proceedings from the get go.
Fresh from coming off the bench to score his nation's second on matchday one, Smith Rowe - promoted to the starting lineup - thought that he had drawn first blood with just four minutes on the clock, but the offside flag spared Israel's blushes.
The Young Lions kept coming, though, and they would deservedly take the lead with 16 minutes gone, as Morgan Gibbs-White got to the byline on the left-hand side and crossed for Gordon, who directed a header into the far corner beyond the reach of Daniel Peretz.
England remained in the ascendancy after opening the scoring, but Peretz's gloves were rarely tested, and Israel handed the group leaders a couple of scares during the dying embers of the opening 45.
Dor Turgeman failed to find the target with a header in the 42nd minute before James Trafford was called into action to beat away Eitan Azoulay's free kick just before the half-time whistle blew, offering the Young Chosen Team hope of a second-half turnaround.
Such hopes did not come to fruition, though, as England remained on top and put the tie to bed with 69 minutes played thanks to Smith Rowe's second goal from as many games.
Once again, Gibbs-White was the instigator, playing a slick one-two with Smith Rowe 25 yards from goal before the Arsenal man took a touch and fired a powerful low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the D.
With the Czech Republic stunning holders Germany to move onto three points, England have qualified for the knockout rounds as group winners courtesy of their superior head-to-head record and will therefore face the runners-up of Group A in the quarter-finals.
All of the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and host nation Georgia are in contention to meet England in the Young Lions' quarter-final, which will take place on July 2 in Kutaisi, and the Three Lions will round off Group C against faltering holders Germany on Wednesday. body check tags ::
