Kavuma-McQueen stars in England U17 victory
Despite being unable to make the 2026 U17 Euros in Estonia, England could still save face in qualifying League B to bolster their chances of making the 2027 edition.
England were eliminated from U17 Euros qualification back in October, meaning they entered League B this month. A place in League A for Euros qualifying next time around was at stake, with Faroe Islands the first challenge for Liam Bramley’s squad. Israel and Estonia were the other nations in group B1.
The Faroe Islands seemed to have brought their weather with them in the opening minute, but the hail wasn’t enough to put Chelsea’s Ryan Kavuma-McQueen off his game. The youngster beat his full-back before dragging his shot wide of the near post.
England’s wide players were causing havoc early on. Next it was Michael Mills’ turn to beat his man and cut inside, curling an effort the wrong side of the post.
In the 11th minute England’s pressure finally paid off. Kavuma-McQueen scored a marvellous solo goal, finding the bottom corner after dancing through the Faroese lines.
A lapse in concentration allowed the visitors their first shot. Markus Danielsen, perhaps rushing his effort, squandered the opportunity.
In the 19th minute, McQueen struck again. He ignored the cries to pass, choosing instead to find his way inside the area and bury the ball in the top corner to double his tally.
Two efforts from JJ Gabriel directly at Noa Joensen weren’t enough to trouble the goalkeeper following a lengthy injury which forced Faroe Islands U17s boss Christian Jacobsen into a change in the 30th minute. The half fizzled out as England went into the break 2-0 up thanks to lightning winger McQueen.
Half-Time: England U17s 2-0 Faroe Islands U17s
A rare attack for the visitors.
McQueen began the second-half where he left off. A powerful effort in the 51st minute nearly completed the hat-trick, but kept rising over the bar. He did have the ball in the net two minutes later, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Joensen was being put to a very painful test, with a vicious volley stinging his palms just beyond the hour mark. McQueen’s subsequent effort deflected out for a throw.
The away side had become very hard to break down in the second 45. Cassim Karim created a good opportunity for England to make it three, but Jacob Howard’s header was well held by Joensen with 15 to play.
Calvin Diakhite tried his luck in the 79th minute, and had Joensen beat for once. He was denied by the knee of Jakup Poulsen on the goal line. Oliver Boast’s effort a minute later was kept out by the outstretched right boot of Joensen.
In stoppage time it was substitute Harvey Higgins who finally got the third and put the game beyond doubt. An unfortunate and perhaps underserved nail in the coffin for the resilient visiting minnows.
Boast nearly added a fourth in the dying moments, but goalkeeper Joensen remained stoic, and parried the shot over his bar. A fine start for England’s campaign, running out 3-0 winners on a cold Wednesday afternoon. The squad will now look ahead to their clash with Israel on Saturday.
One of England’s star prospects, Michael Mills.
Full-Time: England U17s 3-0 Faroe Islands U17s