Sweden U21 0-1 England U21

Substitute Lingard struck with a precise strike from a half-cleared corner

Substitute Jesse Lingard's late goal boosted England's hopes of qualifying for the European Under-21 Championship knockout stages as they edged out a stubborn Sweden side.

Harry Kane and Carl Jenkinson had both spurned chances on what looked set to be another frustrating day for England.

But Lingard's fine 85th-minute volley secured Gareth Southgate's team's first points of the tournament in Olomouc.

They play Italy in their final group game on Wednesday.

Italy and Portugal contested a goalless draw shortly after England's victory - meaning that the Portuguese top the group with four points, while Sweden and England have three with Italy one.

England and Italy meet in Olomouc - and Southgate knows victory will guarantee their passage into the last four.

There remains room for improvement, though, after a scratchy performance against a limited Swedish side during which England failed to create many clear-cut openings.

That their principal attacking threat came from right-back Jenkinson was telling and he carved England's first opening of the game in the 27th minute with a superbly whipped cross into the six-yard area which diving Tottenham forward Kane headed narrowly wide.

The two players drafted into Southgate's starting line-up almost combined to give England the lead two minutes later when Alex Pritchard picked out Will Hughes inside the area, but his effort was superbly diverted wide by Sweden defender Filip Helander.

Sweden, with three points from their opening group game against Italy, played with purpose and physicality, with John Guidetti's low drilled shot held well by Jack Butland.

Danny Ings was introduced at half-time for Hughes to play just behind Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year Kane.

Having already lost Saido Berahino for the tournament and John Stones for their opening two matches, Southgate's side were dealt a further injury blow when Pritchard was forced off after being caught on the ankle by a challenge from Ludwig Augustinsson - the player who had claimed in the build-up that England were "overrated".

Pritchard was replaced by Lingard and the Manchester United forward was the hero when, with the match drifting away from England, he chested Patrik Carlgren's punch to the edge of the penalty area before smashing the ball brilliantly beyond the Sweden goalkeeper.

'Get the ball to Harry Kane'

Kane was an isolated figure at times and had few chances to impress

"I have been very disappointed with the amount of changes England have created," said BBC Radio 5 live's Mark Lawrenson, who is in the Czech Republic covering the tournament.

"Harry Kane is a very good player but England have not managed to create enough chances for him or get enough players around him in the last third - the dangerous areas.

"Goalkeeper Jack Butland has done nothing wrong, Carl Jenkinson has given impetus down the right-hand side and Kane has done as well as anybody, but quite a few have not lived up to their reputations.

"England were a lot better against Portugal even though they lost that game. They moved the ball a lot quicker and the must do that against Italy on Wednesday.

"Watching them at this tournament is a bit like watching the senior side - you never know quite what team is going to turn up, but they have got a chance of going through and that is all you can really ask for."