adminChris Rigg and England’s Under-20 side made a strong start to their 2026–27 campaign after recording an impressive 3–1 victory over Italy in their opening U20 Euro Elite League fixture in Spain.
The Young Lions travelled to the Estadi Olímpic Camilo Cano with plenty to prove and produced a confident display to secure all three points. The victory also marked a winning beginning to Darren Moore’s reign as England Under-20 head coach.
Rigg was named in England’s starting XI, with the Sunderland midfielder featuring alongside a talented group of young players from some of England and Europe’s leading clubs.
England started the contest positively and created several opportunities during the opening stages. Italy’s goalkeeper Lapo Siviero was called into action on multiple occasions as the Young Lions looked to establish control.
Despite their early pressure, England had to wait until the 37th minute to break the deadlock.
Souleymane Sidibe provided the opportunity for Jesse Derry, who finished confidently to give England a deserved 1–0 advantage heading into half-time.
England continued where they left off after the interval and quickly increased their lead. Just seven minutes into the second half, Derry turned provider, delivering a cut-back that allowed captain Mikey Moore to find the net and register his first England Under-20 goal.
Italy were given a route back into the match in the 66th minute when England defender Airidas Golambeckis inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
The goal briefly lifted Italy’s hopes of producing a comeback, and the Azzurrini came close to an equaliser when Coletta forced an excellent save from England goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff.
However, England regained control during the closing stages.
Substitute Shea Lacey produced the decisive moment in the 82nd minute, cutting inside from the right before curling a superb effort into the far top corner to restore England’s two-goal advantage.
The final whistle confirmed a 3–1 victory for England, giving Moore’s side an important opening win and three points in the competition.
For Rigg, the match represented another opportunity to gain valuable experience at international youth level. The Sunderland midfielder had been included in Darren Moore’s original Under-20 squad for the September window, alongside players from Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham United and other clubs.
England will now remain in Spain for the rest of the international window. Their next challenge comes against France on Tuesday, September 29, before they face Germany on October 3.
With a 3–1 victory already secured against Italy, England have made the ideal start to their campaign and will be hoping to maintain that momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
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