3/1 To Win
Derby County defender Lee Buchanan produced an impressive performance on his first start for England’s Under-21 side as they hammered Albania 5-0 on Tuesday evening.
The 19-year-old left-back, who made his debut for the Under-21s off the bench against Andorra last week, was named in the Three Lions’ starting line-up against Albania.
The Academy graduate produced an eye-catching display, with defensive solidity and an attacking threat for the hosts, which will have done his hopes of further call-ups in the future no harm.
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi put England ahead early on before Buchanan registered an assist for Leicester City’s James Justin to double their lead, following a superb run down the left by the Derby youngster.
Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and a double from Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah added further goals to fire England’s young guns to a comprehensive and comfortable win.
Buchanan, who has made ten first-team appearances for Derby in the 2020/21 campaign to date, was replaced by Burnley’s Dwight McNeil after 76 minutes.
The game was the Under-21s’ final UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier, although Aidy Boothroyd’s side had already qualified for the finals next year before kick-off.
The victory over Albania saw them top their group with nine wins and a draw from ten matches.
