England's men's teams across the age groups have enjoyed a fruitful fortnight, winning 12 of their 14 matches in the latest batch of international fixtures.
While our Young Lionesses were storming into the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup quarter-finals, the nation’s men’s teams were also enjoying success both home and away.
Steve Cooper’s Under-17s got the ball rolling by claiming the Croatia Cup in Pula with a 5-0 win over the hosts, a 3-0 victory against Greece before beating Germany 8-1.
England U17s celebrate their 8-1 victory over Germany in the Croatia Cup
Next up for the Under-17s will be their first qualifying fixtures for next year's U17 Euro Finals. Cooper's side head to Romania later this month to face Austria, Azerbaijan and the hosts as they look to reach the elite qualifying round, which takes place in March, and ultimately next summer's finals in Croatia.
Neil Dewsnip’s Under-18s bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to finish a double-header with Sweden in Täby with a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
The Under-19s were 3-1 victors over Croatia in Zagreb before Keith Downing's side returned to England to beat Bulgaria 2-1 in front of just under 700 fans at Adams Park, home of Wycombe Wanderers.
Watch highlights from the Under-19s' last-gasp win over Bulgaria
Next month Downing's side kick off their qualifying campaign for next year's Under-19 European Championship, facing hosts Wales in between games against Luxembourg and Greece.
The Under-20s, who are under the interim management of Paul Williams while Aidy Boothroyd is with the Under-21s, lifted silverware on home soil after topping the Four Nations Tournament.
Having got off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands at Oldham Athletic’s SportsDirect.com Park, the Young Lions then brushed aside Germany 3-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.
Watch highlights from the Young Lions' 3-1 win over Germany
Williams’ side then beat the USA 2-0 at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena to complete a 100 per cent record before lifting the trophy in front of another watching crowd.
With Gareth Southgate in charge of the seniors, Boothroyd stepped up to take the Under-21s’ reins and guide them to next summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship for the sixth straight finals – a record unrivalled anywhere in Europe. An early goal from Leicester City star Demarai Gray was enough to see off Kazakhstan in Aktobe and secure qualification.
The Under-21s sealed their place at the Euro Finals with a game to spare
Boothroyd’s side then returned to England to beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 5-0 at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium. The U21s are now unbeaten in their last 14 games, and conceded just three goals across the entire qualifying campaign.
England seniors’ remain top of Group F of the European Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after a 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley Stadium and a 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana. It has now been seven years since the Three Lions last lost a qualifier – a run stretching back 32 games.
Watch as Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli fire England past Malta at Wembley
The Three Lions round off 2016 with a home double-header at Wembley Stadium, taking on Scotland on Friday 11 November and Spain on Tuesday 15 November. Tickets are available for both games from TheFA.com/Tickets.
