Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham scored as Lee Carsley’s new-look England Under-21s squad laid down an early marker in their Euro 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win in Kazakhstan.
The Young Lions – who had successfully defended their Euros title in Slovakia earlier this summer – struck twice in five minutes during the first half through Nwaneri and the younger Bellingham brother.
Just two players from Carsley’s starting XI for the extra-time win over Germany in the Euro 2025 final had been named in Monday’s team – goalkeeper James Beadle and Jack Hinshelwood.
Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong and forward Divin Mubama, on loan at Stoke from Manchester City, were handed their debuts while Bellingham – who was away at the Club World Cup with Borussia Dortmund during the summer – took on the captaincy.
England made a bright start as Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who had come off the bench in the final, sent in a low cross from the right, which Mubama could only stab straight at the Kazakhstan keeper.
After Beadle made a straightforward save from Ayan Baidavletov, England went ahead in the 18th minute.
Mubama knocked down a high ball into the penalty area and Arsenal midfielder Nwaneri – another of Carsley’s successful summer squad – drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box. England struck again five minutes later when Bellingham got up to head in from Tyler Dibling’s corner.
Lee Carsley has a new-look England Under-21s team
Nwaneri went close to a third just before half-time when his 20-yard free-kick was palmed away by Kazakhstan keeper Dulat Talyspayev.
Kazakhstan pressed at the start of the second half, with Ramazan Bagdat forcing Beadle into a smart reaction save. Carsley sent on Crystal Palace forward Romain Esse for his Under-21s debut just after the hour, replacing Dibling.
Astana midfielder Nurali Zhaksylyk curled a late effort just wide for the hosts as England closed out a solid performance.
England next face a trip to Moldova in October’s internationals before hosting Andorra at Derby.