The 2022 European U19 Championship final pits England’s Young Lions against Israel in the Slovakian city of Trvana tonight. Ian Foster’s side have enjoyed a fine run through the summer’s tournament, booking a place in next year’s U20 World Cup in the process of winning all three group games without conceding a goal.
That included a 1-0 victory over Israel before their opponents tonight pulled off a shock victory against France in the semi-finals, winning 2-1, while Jarell Quansah’s late winner downed Italy to maintain England’s hopes. An 11th Euros triumph is on the cards for England, who will be favourites at Anton Malatinsky Stadium to follow up on their 2017 trophy lift.
Five years ago, Reece James, Aaron Ramsdale and Mason Mount were the heroes in Georgia and now the onus falls on Harvey Vale, Carney Chukwuemeka, Dane Scarlett and Co to take their first steps towards international glory.
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Warm applause from the Trnava fans, of which a fair few Israeli flags abound, for the losers tonight.
A very, very fine effort from Ofir Haim’s team.
Time for the presentation
Lots of Israel players clearly devastated by that result, with their first-ever U19s Euros going begging by the narrowest of margins.
They will pick up their silver medals shortly, after the referees are awarded their accolades.
FULL TIME!
ENGLAND WIN THE EUROPEAN U19 CHAMPIONSHIP!
119 mins: Some frustration boiling over now as Chukwuemeka and Madmon are booked for a scrap then turned into a scuffle.
GGGOOOOAAALLLLL!!!! Israel U19s 1-3 England U19s
117 mins: ENGLAND HAVE DONE IT!
Absolutely brilliant from Delap, who punishes the tired Israel defence with a burst down the left before hitting the deck.
With no foul given, he gets back up and drags a shot against the goalkeeper… but it spills out for Ramsey to slam home.
That must be that!
115 mins: Iroegbunam booked to allow Israel a chance to swing a ball in. But they got short and wide, before Norton-Cuffy turns it away for a corner.
Lemkin gets the header all wrong and England clear.
113 mins: OFF THE LINE!
Turgeman turns the ball into a dangerous area and Gloukh slices a volley past the scrambling England defenders – except for Doyle.
The goalscorer is there to head off the far-post as another massive chance goes begging for the underdogs.
111 mins: Israel have not gone away yet and Gorno rifles a shot over the near-post after finding space down the left.