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Monday, April 20, 2026

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Tournament victory for England Under-23s  

England Under-23 3 (Goodwin 4, Silcock 9, McLoughlin 56)

Sweden Under-23 0

England Women’s Under-23s were crowned champions of the 2025-26 Under-23 European Competition on Friday, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden in the final.

Lydia Bedford’s side lifted the trophy in Murcia, Spain, with goals from Izzy Goodwin, Hannah Silcock and Olivia McLoughlin sealing the win in glorious Spanish sunshine.

Bedford had taken charge of the squad only for this month’s camp, having succeeded Emma Coates as head coach. The new manager could hardly have dreamed of a better start, guiding England to a semi final triumph over the Netherlands earlier in the week before claiming the title.

The success capped a resilient campaign for the Young Lionesses, who had recovered from an opening 5-0 defeat to Germany last October, followed by a draw against Portugal. Subsequent victories over Norway in November and France in March secured their place in the final four places.

England produced their finest performance of the competition when it mattered most, making a blistering start to the final. Just four minutes in, they won possession high up the pitch near Sweden’s 18-yard box, allowing Goodwin to continue her fine scoring form by curling the ball into the far corner from outside the area.

England maintained their intensity and doubled their advantage five minutes later when Hannah Silcock rose to head home from a corner delivered by Chloe Sarwie.

Having scored twice in quick succession, England took firm control and looked comfortable against their Scandinavian opponents. They almost added a third early in the second half when Anouk Denton charged down the flank and cut the ball back from the goal line, only for Sweden’s Nesrin Akgü to clear the danger.

England did not have to wait long, however. Minutes later, Lenna Gunning-Williams collected the ball on the right, drove past two defenders and delivered a precise cross that Olivia McLoughlin glanced into the net, putting the result beyond doubt.

McLoughlin came close to a second when substitute Lexi Lloyd-Smith threaded a pass through, but her shot sailed over the bar. Another opportunity for the striker arrived from a low cross by Jess Simpson, but she stretched and fired over once more.

By then the contest was effectively over, and England comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to bring a triumphant end to the 2025-26 season.

England Under-23: Khiara Keating, Anouk Denton, Chloe Sarwie (sub Jess Simpson 71mins), Ruby Mace, Hannah Silcock, Teyah Goldie, Lenna Gunning-Williams (sub Lexi Lloyd-Smith 59mins), Lexi Potter (sub Laila Harbert 59mins), Isobel Goodwin (sub Jessie Gale 71mins), Mia Enderby (sub Eleanor Klinger 71mins), Olivia McLoughlin. Subs not used: Katie Cox, Natalia Negri, Sarah Brasero, Gracie Prior, Megan Collett, Neve Herron, Vivienne Lia.