Katie Zelem and Beth Mead each scored twice in a 5-0 win over Finland as England Women’s U19s booked their place at the Euro finals in emphatic style.
Following victories against Denmark and Serbia, Mo Marley’s side just needed to avoid defeat against the host nation to top Group 6 but once Zelem fired the Young Lions ahead in the eighth minute there was only going to be one outcome.
Manchester City’s Natasha Flint extended the lead just before the quarter-hour mark and Sunderland striker Mead put the result beyond doubt in the 33rd minute.
Finland 0-5 England
UEFA Women's U19 Euros
Elite Qualifying Round
Group 6
Thursday 10 April
Finland
Mead completed her brace late on and there was still time for Liverpool schemer Zelem to double her own tally and complete the rout.
The finals will be staged in Norway between 15-27 July, the draw for which will be held in Oslo on Tuesday 29 April.
England have reached the final of this competition four times in the last seven seasons, including last year. They won the title for the first time in Belarus in 2009. Six members of that squad have since made the step up to the senior team.
England: 13 Caitlin Leach (Aston Villa), 2 Aoife Mannion (Birmingham City), 3 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), 4 Jade Bailey (C; Arsenal), 6 Ellie Stewart (Liverpool), 7 Natasha Flint (Manchester City), 9 Jess Carter (Birmingham City), 10 Katie Zelem (Liverpool), 12 Gabrielle George (Everton), 14 Abbey-Leigh Stringer (Aston Villa), 18 Beth Mead (Sunderland)
Substitutes: 8 Jodie Brett (Chelsea) for Flint (64), 17 Coral Haines (Birmingham City) for Carter (77), 5 Vyan Sampson (Arsenal) for Zelem (87)
Substitutes not used: 1 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City), 11 Sarah Mayling (Aston Villa), 15 Rosella Ayane (Chelsea), 16 Mille Turner (Everton)
Goals: Zelem (8, 85), Flint (14), Mead (33, 79)
Bookings: Mead (90+4)
