A Raheem Sterling goal in the first half was enough for England to defeat the Czech Republic 1-0 and clinch Group D’s top spot after going unbeaten in the first stage of the 2020 European Championship.
The Three Lions hit the ground running at Wembley and came close to taking the lead just two minutes in, but Sterling was unlucky to hit the post once again, as England also hit the woodwork in the first halves of the previous two games with Croatia and Scotland.
Jack Grealish, who started for the first time in the tournament, produced an excellent cross, one which was headed home by Sterling, who has scored England’s both goals at Euro 2020.
Harry Kane could have doubled their lead midway through the first 45 minutes, but Tomas Vaclik produced a fine save to deny the Tottenham Hotspur striker.
Tomas Holes and Tomas Soucek missed a half-chance each to equalise before the break, but the Czech Republic looked anything but threatening in the second half.
Gareth Southgate made all his five changes after the interval, also giving Jadon Sancho his first minutes in the tournament after being criticised for not having started the Borussia Dortmund talented youngster so far.
England registered seven points in Group D and will face one of Germany, France, Portugal or Hungary in the Round of 16, while Czech Republic also qualified to the next round as the third-placed team with four points.
