Arsenal goalkeeper Tommy Setford impressed to keep a clean sheet for the England u19s against Wales earlier this week.
PRESTON, ENGLAND: Tommy Setford of Arsenal warms up prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
The England u19s are playing in the Elite Round of European Championship qualifiers over the March international break, and Arsenal’s Tommy Setford played a key role in getting the team off to a good start on Wednesday.
Facing off against Wales, Setford made the starting lineup for England. Though the Young Lions ultimately won the match 2-0, the game was far from comfortable, and the Gunners goalkeeper made a particularly impressive set of saves around the hour mark to keep his team 1-0 up.
With England earning three points and Portugal drawing with Turkey in the other game, it was the perfect start to the group stage.
Tommy Setford playing for the England youth teams (Photo via Setford on Instagram)
Photo via Setford on Instagram
The second round of matches didn’t go quite so well. England drew with Turkey 0-0, with Finlay Herrick starting over Setford in goal, whilst Portugal beat Wales 1-0 in the other game to draw level on points at the top of the group.
England now likely need a win over Portugal on the final day to secure the one qualification spot available to the group.
A defeat would guarantee elimination, and a draw would put both teams on five points.
If Turkey beat already-eliminated Wales, they’d also reach the same points tally, and both Portugal and Turkey would finish above England as a result of scoring more goals in head-to-head matches between the three teams (due to their 2-2 draw against each other).
PRESTON, ENGLAND: Tommy Setford of Arsenal celebrates after teammate Gabriel Jesus (not pictured) scores their team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
So unless Wales pull off an unlikely result that they have little motivation to achieve, a win for England is the only way they can hope to progress.
The two matches take place at the same time on Tuesday, 25th March, at 19:00 GMT.
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