Match ends, England U21 1, Wales U21 0.
England U21England U211Wales U21Wales U210
England's Under-21 side are on the verge of qualifying for the Euro 2015 play-offs after Nathan Redmond's goal helped them beat Wales.
The Norwich winger had two good chances before he cut in from the left to find the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Victory keeps England top of their group, and with the top two advancing, they are nine points clear of third-placed Wales with three games left.
Wales' best chance came when Wes Burns fired wide with Jack Butland to beat.
The visitors were also inches from equalising when Tom Lawrence's shot deflected past Butland's post.
Even though those opportunities were isolated, Geraint Williams's stubborn side will hope they can overtake second-placed Moldova to join England in the next stage.
Gareth Southgate's England team could easily have made the scoreline more comfortable had Redmond, West Brom striker Saido Berahino and Crystal Palace winger Thomas Ince been more clinical in front of goal.
But without hitting the heights of a record 9-0 win over San Marino in their last game, England continued their unbeaten qualification campaign and are now six points above their nearest group rivals.
QPR loanee Ravel Morrison was substituted in the second half after an underwhelming performance but England enjoyed better possession throughout the contest at Derby County's iPro Stadium.
While solid, the hosts could not quite open up the Welsh side, who had the best chance before the break when Burns raced clear of John Stones on the counter attack but dragged his shot wide.
That opportunity appeared to focus the England players' minds as they improved but they were missing a spark in the final third until Redmond found the bottom corner after 56 minutes following a jinking run.
Line-ups
England U21
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Butland
- 2Jenkinson
- 5Stones
- 14ChalobahSubstituted forMooreat 74'minutes
- 3Robinson
- 8Ward-Prowse
- 4Carroll
- 7Ince
- 10MorrisonSubstituted forHughesat 71'minutes
- 11Redmond
- 9BerahinoSubstituted forIngsat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Moore
- 13Bond
- 15Hughes
- 16Lingard
- 17Zaha
- 18Ings
- 19Lascelles
Wales U21
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Roberts
- 2Freeman
- 5Tancock
- 6Walsh
- 3John
- 11Isgrove
- 4Lucas
- 8PritchardSubstituted forWilliamsat 83'minutes
- 7Lawrence
- 10O'SullivanSubstituted forEvansat 66'minutes
- 9BurnsSubstituted forOglebyat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Dibble
- 13Fox
- 14Evans
- 15Hewitt
- 16Williams
- 17Edwards
- 18Ogleby
- Referee:
- Nicolas Rainville
Match Stats
Home TeamEngland U21Away TeamWales U21
- Possession
- Home67%
- Away33%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away0
- Corners
- Home9
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, England U21 1, Wales U21 0.
Post update
Will Hughes (England U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Scott Tancock (Wales U21).
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Nathan Redmond (England U21) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Kieran Freeman (Wales U21).
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Corner, England U21. Conceded by Connor Roberts.
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Attempt saved. Danny Ings (England U21) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Will Hughes.
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Corner, Wales U21. Conceded by Liam Moore.
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Carl Jenkinson (England U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Tom Lawrence (Wales U21).
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Corner, Wales U21. Conceded by John Stones.
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Attempt blocked. Tom Lawrence (Wales U21) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by George Williams.
Substitution
Substitution, Wales U21. George Williams replaces Josh Pritchard.
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Corner, England U21. Conceded by Kieran Freeman.
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Attempt missed. Jack Robinson (England U21) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the left following a corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Wales U21. Robert Ogleby replaces Wes Burns.
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Corner, England U21. Conceded by Kieran Freeman.
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Attempt blocked. Tom Carroll (England U21) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathan Redmond.
Substitution
Substitution, England U21. Liam Moore replaces Nathaniel Chalobah because of an injury.
