England's Under-19 squad has certainly been delivering drama and excitement at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Romania, showcasing resilience and flair in their opening two matches. The Young Lions kicked off their campaign with a pulsating 2-2 draw against Norway on June 16, followed by a breathtaking 5-5 comeback draw against Germany on June 17, proving they are a team to watch in this competitive tournament.
The opening clash against Norway was a rollercoaster from the start. England took an early lead in the 11th minute thanks to Tom Watson, whose deflected strike found the net after a clever run by Kadan Young created the chance. Watson, fresh from a £10 million move to Brighton after an injury-time winner for Sunderland, showed his knack for crucial goals early on in the tournament.
Norway responded fiercely, with Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit leveling the score with an impressive individual goal. The match was end-to-end, with both teams hitting the woodwork before Sondre Granaas put Norway ahead just before the half-time whistle with a well-executed cushioned volley.
England, coached by Will Antwi, came out stronger in the second half, determined not to let the lead slip away. The Young Lions' persistence paid off when, in the 80th minute, Tottenham forward Mikey Moore, aged just 17, calmly converted a late penalty after teammate Shumaira Mheuka was pushed to the ground by Norway's Jonathan Norbye. This crucial goal ensured England salvaged a point despite a late ankle injury to Moore, which forced England to see out the final minutes with ten men as all substitutions had been used.
"It was an entertaining match with both teams showing great spirit," said Antwi after the game. England's next fixtures were set to be equally challenging, with a tough encounter against Germany scheduled for June 17, followed by a decisive match against the Netherlands on June 20. The top two teams from each group would advance to the semi-finals, adding extra weight to every point earned in the group stage.
The following day, England faced Germany in what turned out to be an extraordinary ten-goal thriller at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. The match was a true test of character for the Young Lions, who found themselves trailing 5-1 early on. Germany's Noah Darvich opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and Said El Mala doubled the lead in the 31st and again in the 48th minute. Max Moerstedt and Leopold Wurm added to Germany's tally with goals in the 41st and 44th minutes respectively.
England, however, refused to buckle under the pressure. Josh King sparked the comeback with a goal in the 35th minute, and then Manchester United's Ethan Wheatley, whose composure and skill were on full display, scored in the 52nd minute to keep England's hopes alive. Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, Zach Abbott, and Jesse Derry continued the fightback with goals in the 55th, 60th, and 63rd minutes respectively, leveling the score at an astonishing 5-5.
The match saw late substitutions with Justin Oboavwoduo and Harrison Murray-Campbell coming on for England in the 89th minute, while Mateo Kritzer replaced a German player at the 85th minute. Referee Andrea Colombo oversaw the intense encounter, which was a testament to the attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities of both sides.
Reflecting on the match, England's coach Will Antwi remarked, "Coming back from four goals down against a strong German side shows the heart and determination of this squad. It's not easy to keep belief when the odds are stacked against you, but the boys showed incredible character." The draw marked England's second in the tournament, following their stalemate against Norway, and kept their hopes alive of progressing to the knockout stages.
These performances underline the competitive nature of the UEFA Under-19 Championship, where emerging talents showcase their skills on an international stage. England's squad, featuring promising players like Mikey Moore, Tom Watson, and Ethan Wheatley, has demonstrated both attacking flair and resilience, vital traits for success in such a demanding competition.
Looking ahead, England's upcoming match against the Netherlands on June 20 will be crucial in determining their fate in the group. The Young Lions will be aiming to convert their hard-fought draws into a win to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Fans can catch live coverage of the men's and women's European Under-19 tournaments across BBC platforms, including iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and app, with selected matches available on Red Button.
With two thrilling draws behind them, England's Under-19 squad has certainly captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. Their ability to fight back against adversity and produce entertaining football suggests that this tournament could be the stage for some memorable moments and perhaps a deep run into the knockout rounds.
As the group stage progresses, all eyes will be on the Young Lions to see if they can harness this momentum and translate their spirited performances into victories. The European Under-19 Championship is proving to be a showcase of future stars, and England's team is right in the thick of the action, battling for glory in Romania.
