England booked their place at the 2019 UEFA European U19 Championship finals following a comfortable 2-0 win over Italy at St. George’s Park.
First-half goals from Jessica Naz and Lauren Hemp were the difference as Italy ended the game with nine players in an eventful match.
Rehanne Skinner’s side headed into the contest knowing a win would guarantee qualification and there was no evidence of nerves as they raced into a two-goal lead within the opening ten minutes.
And when Angelica Soffia was dismissed just shy of the interval following a second bookable offence before Vanessa Panzeri picked up her second yellow card on the hour, it was a case of game management.
The Young Lionesses opened the scoring after just three minutes, as Naz danced through the Italian defence and converted.
Tottenham’s Naz then played a neat one-two with Hemp, before the latter fired home.
England oozed confidence and Hemp came close to adding to her and England’s tally half an hour in when her clever, deft strike from an acute angle edged narrowly wide of Roberta Aprile’s goal.
After their early setback, Italy settled and fashioned an opening courtesy a lightning quick counter attack – Sara Baldi shot well wide of the target and they then went close again but Giada Greggi was unable to connect with a wicked cross in from the right.
Moments later, Hannah Hampton was alert to hold a shot from long-range but just as the Italians were in the ascendancy, Soffia was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Naz.
Italy began the second period in the same manner as the first and only a smart save from Hampton kept the score at two.
Undeterred by their numeric disadvantage they continued to threaten and won a host of corners. However, they were reduced to nine players when Panzeri fouled Naz while through on goal.
England almost added to their total with 13 minutes remaining – Ebony Salmon broke clear but saw her attempted saved and rebounded blocked on the line as Skinner's side saw the game out.
The finals will take place in Scotland between 16-28 July and the draw will be made on 16 April in Glasgow.
England: 13 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), 3 Poppy Pattinson (Bristol City), 4 Aimee Palmer (Manchester United), 5 Esme Morgan (C; Manchester City), 6 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida), 7 Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), 8 Amy Rodgers (Liverpool), 9 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 10 Ella Rutherford (Bristol City), 11 Ella Fitzgerald (Millwall Lionesses), 12 Grace Neville (Millwall Lionesses)
Substitutes: 2 Olivia Smith (University of Oklahoma) replaced Neville 46, 17 Ebony Salmon (Sheffield United on loan from Manchester United)replaced Naz 66, 14 Emily Syme (Yeovil Town)replaced Rutherford 67, ), 20 Jodie Hutton (Aston Villa) replaced Fitzgerald 85, 18 Lauren James (Manchester United) for Rodgers 78
Substitutes not used: 1 Emily Ramsey (Manchester United), 15 Niamh Cashin (Rider University), 16 Naomi Hartley (Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United), 19 Amelia Hazard (Arsenal)
Head coach: Rehanne Skinner
Goals: Jessica Naz 3, Lauren Hemp 9
