on 12 october 2010, young made his first start for england in a euro 2012 qualifying match against montenegro. he scored his first international goal in a friendly away to denmark on 9 february 2011 in copenhagen, which was the winning goal. young also scored again against switzerland on 4 june 2011, as he got the equaliser with a volley from the edge of the area, after coming off the bench for frank lampard at half-time. on 6 september 2011, young scored the only goal for england in a euro 2012 qualifying 1–0 win against wales. on 7 october 2011, he scored england's first goal away against montenegro, and set up darren bent for the second. england drew the match 2–2 to secure qualification for uefa euro 2012. on 29 february 2012, young scored his fifth international goal in a 3–2 home loss to the netherlands in a friendly match played at wembley stadium.