England Under-21s are on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2027 as the defending champions survived a scare against Kazakhstan.

The Young Lions, looking to win the title for a third successive time, are top of Group D - six points ahead of Slovakia with two games remaining.

Ali Turganov's own goal and strikes from Josh Acheampong, Max Alleyne and Will Lankshear - on his Under-21s debut - overcame a determined Kazakhstan who took the lead inside three minutes from Artem Litosh.

Saif Popov made it 2-2 at the break but Lee Carsley's Young Lions go into next Friday's game with Slovakia at Stoke knowing a draw will be enough to reach the tournament in Albania and Serbia.

Carsley said: "I don't think I've ever managed an England team and thought it would be nice to get a draw. We've got to go for it. We'll definitely to be going for it next Friday.

"I really like watching this team play - we're an attacking team, we're an exciting team and we have to accept we are going to concede chances.

"This team hasn't played together for six months so I'm not going to be too critical but they know we are going to have to play better than that to be a serious team.

"This team needs to build character and we need to see where they are going to go. We have some outstanding players and they have shown some spirit. We need to build on that."

Carsley had spoken this week about how England could not be arrogant in qualifying campaigns and his side were tested by the visitors, who had earned just one point following their opening qualifying win over Andorra a year ago.

James Beadle denied Popov as the bottom side chased a leveller before Lankshear added a late fourth at Molineux.

The victory means the Young Lions have dropped just two points in their qualifying campaign.

Only Italy have won the tournament three times in a row, with future World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Totti helping them complete their treble in 1996.