Elliot Embleton completed 90 minutes as England romped to the semi-finals of the Toulon Tournament with a dominant display against Cuba.
The earlier game in ‘Group A’ saw Japan draw again against Angola, so this meant a win for England would secure the top spot and progression to the next stage with a game to spare.
And the young Lions did exactly that in the first-ever fixture between these two nations…
Neil Dewsnip made four changes to the side that beat Angola three days earlier, giving Harvey Barnes and David Brooks their first ever starts in a Three Lions shirt. Both made an instant impact.
Sheffield United’s Brooks had the first chance of the game when he stretched to get a through-ball in the middle, narrowly putting his effort wide in the Stade D’Honneur.
A few minutes later and Brooks had another chance in front of goal that was saved. The attack came through good build-up play with George Hirst, who ply’s his trade at another Sheffield club, Wednesday.
The lively Brooks was involved once again as England broke the deadlock on the 19th minute. He provided the assist for Barnes who comfortably slotted the ball across the goal in the box.
The ball was in the back of Cuba’s net just over 10-minutes later as Reece James broke free on the right wing and crossed the ball low for the oncoming Hirst who duly accepted the offer in front of goal to tap the ball in.
With the bulk of possession, the Young Lions controlled the whole of the first-half. But it was the Caribbean side that halved the deficit on the 37th minute as Puga Saucedo received the ball on the left and rifled his shot in the corner.
The last bit of action before the break was a late challenge by Cuba’s Sando Herve on Ronaldo Vieira, the Cuban receiving his marching orders with a straight red shortly after.
The lads in white continued where they left off in the second-half. Leicester City’s Barnes won a loose ball and got his second of the game early on with an easy and unchallenged finish.
Minutes later and Brooks provided another assist for Hirst this time as he put the ball in the net from close range to get his second of the match.
Taking advantage of the extra man, England didn’t hold back in possession as Brooks attacked once again and got the goal he deserved with a sweet strike on the hour mark.
A sixth was added four minutes later as Brooks was brought down in the box, Hirst stepping up to confidently slot it in the bottom right to register his hat-trick.
Substitute Martell Taylor-Crossdale got in on the action just before the end with a penalty down the middle against Cuba’s replacement keeper to make it seven. The Chelsea youngster was tripped in the box after making a jinking run.
The victory makes it two wins from two and keeps England’s sights on retaining the trophy for a third time in England’s history a reality.
The Young Lions will finish their group fixtures against Japan on Sunday and will have one eye on which team they will face in the last four of the Toulon Tournament.
FT - England 7-1 Cuba
