England were second best early on and did well enough defensively to survive multiple waves of France pressure as the scoreline remained goalless. Despite fashioning a few promising opportunities which fell to Justin Oboavwoduo and substitute Zak Lovelace, Ryan Garry’s side were beaten late after Mathis Lambourde’s 89th-minute penalty strike – sending them into the semifinals.
England undone by self-inflicted late drama
- France progress to play Spain, after they eased to 3-0 win over Ireland as Barcelona’s highly-rated winger Lamine Yamal had a goal and assist
- Les Bleuets will be without two starters, as well as their manager Jean-Luc Vannuchi for the semi-final through yellow card suspensions
- England now play fellow beaten quarter-finalists Switzerland – who were in their same group – for a World Cup berth in November on Tuesday
Les Bleuets began this quarter-final in control, so much so that they could’ve easily been 2-0 up but for a combo of last-ditch defending and incisive decision-making.
Everton’s Ishe Samuels-Smith cleared Ayman Sadi’s diving header off the line after Nhoa Sangui’s cross evaded several players in the area, before winger Tidiane Diallo – a constant livewire in the first 15 minutes – was booked for diving in the box.
Turkish referee Attilla Karaoglan was on hand to spot the 16-year-old manufacturing contact with Lakyle Samuel’s outstretched leg. See for yourself:
It was a silly yellow card to receive and now means both he and fullback Yvann Titi will be suspended for their midweek clash against Spain, after the latter’s rash challenge near the touchline a minute prior.
Kayi Sanda almost latched onto a dangerous free-kick delivery shortly afterwards, as France were piling on the early pressure.
Samuels-Smith made a forceful challenge to ease danger on his teammates in the middle third, as Lambourde subsequently received medical treatment for a knock.
Titi later forced a smart save from England goalkeeper Tommy Setford from seemingly nothing, as a throw-in wasn’t pressed and the Ajax goalkeeper’s bemused reaction spoke volumes: urging his teammates to wake up defensively.
You could sense they were bound to concede. An inability to retain possession in midfield didn’t help their case, as Wolves forward Leon Chiwome was isolated up-top and there wasn’t enough of Ethan Nwaneri, Oboavwoduo and Tyler Dibling either.
Cruelly on cue then, Chiwome went down in a heap outside the area in tears after landing awkwardly when pursuing a loose ball as a half-chance flashed into view.
Appearing to have hyperextended his leg, with perhaps a hamstring or muscular injury, Rangers’ Zakaria Lovelace replaced him two minutes before half-time.
That was his tournament over. Setford again berated his defenders for failing to close down quickly, this time as Mohamed-Amine Bouchenna had enough confidence in letting fly, though his effort was wide of the target.
England could’ve snatched a two-goal cushion of their own before half-time, without much warning. Oboavwoduo hit the woodwork after a solo run on the counter-attack, before somehow missing from close-range moments later.
It was initially some excellent skill to control possession in mid-air, but he didn’t get a clean contact on his eventual effort as Dibling was motioning and expecting the ball to be squared across for a tap-in.
More pressure after the break, and a rough ending
Goalless at the half in Hungary, Manchester City’s Isaiah Dada-Mascoll replaced quiet midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly as Lovelace quickly made his presence felt in the final third, being more forceful off-the-ball than Chiwome had managed.
Monaco’s Saimon Bouabre was almost rewarded after a marauding run goalwards, skipping past two England players and forcing Setford into an acrobatic stop. Diallo had a pop too shortly afterwards, as France were lurking.
Better composure under duress would’ve seen England break the deadlock though, after Nwaneri ghosted past Nolan Ferro before playing an incisive through ball for Lovelace to latch onto in the area.
The 17-year-old went over in the box crying foul as French goalkeeper Paul Argney charged out to smother what was a loose ball, though the referee correctly ignored protests for a penalty with replays showing no contact.
Aston Villa’s Kadan Young was introduced while France made a double change as things were still hanging on a knife edge before a painful finish for England.
Tidiam Gomis, on 25 minutes earlier, watched his strike handled in the area by Samuel as the referee didn’t hesitate pointing to the spot.
Replays showed it was the correct decision – albeit a needless mistake made in the first place – Lambourde gratefully converting from the spot with a well-taken finish.
Samuel’s timely block in stoppage-time further compounded his woes, and England, who left it too late to force penalties against the defending champions.
Germany face Poland after dramatic quarter-finals elsewhere, while France face a stern test in Spain on Tuesday with a place in Friday’s final the prize on offer.
Judging by the way Lamine Yamal and co have been purring for La Rojita of late, it’s probably a blessing in disguise England are facing Switzerland instead.
Picture source: FFF.fr, UEFA
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