Nicoll-Jazuli set the direction in the opening minutes
Nicoll-Jazuli put England ahead in the sixth minute and gave Montenegro no time to settle into a compact defensive shape. Xavier Parker added the second after 22 minutes before Nicoll-Jazuli struck again in the 28th minute. Three goals inside the opening half hour turned England’s territorial control into a clear advantage.
Montenegro did respond before the interval. Danilo Vukcevic scored in the 44th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-1, giving the visitors a possible route back into the match. England therefore needed a composed start to the second half rather than assuming the contest had already been decided.
The second-half response removed any uncertainty
Nicoll-Jazuli completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute. The goal restored England’s three-goal lead shortly after the restart and prevented Montenegro from building momentum around their late first-half reply. It was the decisive moment in a match that had briefly become less comfortable.
Substitute Joshua Abe made it 5-1 in the 64th minute, and Parker scored his second six minutes later. England finished with six goals from three different scorers: three for Nicoll-Jazuli, two for Parker and one for Abe. UEFA recorded the final score as Montenegro 1-6 England.
The result gives England a strong starting position
The match was played on 11 November at St George’s Park, where England are hosting the four-team qualifying group. Poland and Ukraine are the other opponents, and the top two teams will advance to the next round. Starting with three points and a five-goal winning margin gives the Young Lions useful protection before the remaining fixtures.
England next face Poland on 14 November at 14.00 GMT. That game should provide a different test because both teams now have current group evidence to study. England can approach it without needing to force the contest, but the opening win will matter only if the same concentration is carried into the second match.
A wide margin still leaves useful details to review
The six goals show that England repeatedly converted pressure into chances, while the response after half-time demonstrated control after Montenegro’s goal. The coaching staff can now examine which combinations created those openings and whether the same movements can work against a more organised opponent.
The conceded goal also gives the defenders a clear sequence to assess. Tournament football rewards teams that correct small problems quickly because the next match arrives within three days. England’s first task is complete: a convincing win, three points and a strong goal difference without turning the rest of the group into a formality.