The Chelsea forward’s strikes secured the Young Lions a 2-1 win on Thursday at Burton Albion as they finished their qualification campaign with a 100 per cent record.
It was a game the 16-year-old felt he had to make a mark in after drawing a blank on his last start against Norway last weekend.
Ike Ugbo factfile
Position: Forward
Club: Chelsea
DOB: 21/09/1998
Caps: Five
Goals: Three
Debut: v USA on 28/11/14
“After the first game I felt I had to prove myself to John and show why I should be in the team. I wanted to get two so that I’d have two in two games, and thankfully I did – that’s three in five games I’ve got this season,” he told TheFA.com.
“For my first one I pressed the defender hard, and he panicked allowing me to take the ball, then I just had to slot it in.
“Marcus Edwards did well for my second, going down the left before pulling it back for me to put it in with just one touch.
“We had to keep our heads on it and work hard to make it six games unbeaten, and that really motivated me and the side to do well.”
Ugbo is club-mates with Dominic Solanke, and having seen the forward fire England to glory at last summer’s European Championship, he is hoping to have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.
“It would be a dream come true for me,” he said. “Seeing them win it last year, with Dom doing as well as he did too, it would be great to be able to follow on from them.
“We’ve had to keep our cool and stick together throughout qualifying, and we’ve done well to get to the finals – I just hope I’m selected.”
“I’ll be watching the draw next week, and I’m going to be working hard back at Chelsea.”
Holders England lead the 16-team lineup for the expanded finals in Bulgaria, with the draw streamed live on UEFA.com at 3pm on Thursday.
