AARON Ramsdale starred for England under-19s as Keith Downing’s Young Lions launched their European Championship finals campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bulgaria.

The 19-year-old Cherries goalkeeper produced two vital first-half saves to preserve his side’s lead, after Mason Mount had broken the deadlock inside 60 seconds.

Ramsdale’s first major contribution came on 21 minutes, when he reacted swiftly to adjust his body position and claw away a mishit shot from Bulgaria midfielder Ivan Tilev.

Soon after, Ramsdale instinctively flung out his left hand to fingertip over centre-half Petko Hristov’s ferocious close-range header.

Chelsea attacking midfielder Mount – rated highly enough at Stamford Bridge to have been awarded a four-year-deal in April – opened the scoring when he swept home a right-wing cross from clubmate Dujon Sterling.

Ryan Sessegnon doubled England’s lead three minutes after the break, the 17-year-old Fulham sensation running on to a pass from Ben Brereton before evading two challenges and finishing beyond keeper Dimitar Sheytanov.

Sessegnon's strike drew the sting from the Bulgarians, with a tame long-range Tilev effort, comfortably pouched by Ramsdale, all they mustered in response.

Ramsdale and his team-mates are next in action on Thursday, when they take on Holland, before concluding Group B with a game against Germany on Sunday.

The semi-finals of the competition in Georgia are both scheduled for next Wednesday.