England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley says they are in a "great position" to win a historic third successive European Championship.

The Young Lions booked their place at Euro 2027 despite a disappointing draw against Slovakia in Stoke.

England needed just one point to reach the finals in Albania and Serbia next year having won seven of their eight qualifying matches before Friday night's encounter.

Italy have won the Under-21 Euros three times in a row, doing so in 1992, 1994 and 1996, but the feat has never been achieved in a 16-team competition.

Having lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2025, Carsley's side have their eyes on a hat-trick.

"They've put themselves in a great position to win the tournament for a third time," he said.

"I've definitely reminded them. They are in a really unique position and in a position they should be proud of, and we are definitely excited working with these.

"You don't realise your highlights until years later, but this is a unique situation they are in. I've enjoyed getting qualified almost as much as winning the Championships because it's not easy.

"To be qualified with one game to spare is a massive achievement for these players."

After their victory over Kazakhstan last week, Carsley said his side would "go for it" against Slovakia, but they struggled to create meaningful opportunities in a lacklustre performance.

England looked out of sorts in the search for a breakthrough as Will Lankshear twice headed back across the face of goal in the first half, but neither opportunity was turned home from close range as Tyrique George nodded wide and Sydie Peck could not reach the second one.

Ethan Nwaneri shot wide and Max Alleyne struck the post but, for all their possession, the hosts - who won the 2023 and 2025 tournaments - could not make any of their chances count.

Peck tried to slot home late in the game, while Rico Lewis got into some good areas, but visiting goalkeeper Adam Hrdina had very little to do.

"This is probably the first time we've have had a bit more jeopardy on the game in terms of the players in the back of their minds knowing that a point is enough to qualify," added Carsley.

"But we have to take the positives. At the start of the campaign, we always set out the objectives to qualify."

England were without Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who returned to his club as a precaution, and Newcastle's Lewis Miley, who suffered an injury in training.

The Young Lions have dropped just four points with two draws in their Euro qualifying campaign and are six clear of second-placed Republic of Ireland with one game left in Group D.

Both sides face each other on Tuesday in Cork, but Carsley will see much room for improvement if his side are to triumph yet again.