By Daily Sports on July 24, 2018

Defending champions England were knocked out of the European Under-19 Championship at the group stage as they lost their final match 5-0 to France.

The Young Lions were without a number of star players because the tournament clashes with clubs' pre-season tours.

Nabil Alioui and Myziane Maolida tapped in to put France in control before the former added his second and a double from Amine Gouiri wrapped things up.

England's Marcus Tavernier had a late goal ruled out for offside.

Team-mate Elliot Embleton struck the crossbar from the edge of the box in the first half.

France will face Italy in the semi-finals on Thursday while group winners Ukraine, who beat Turkey 1-0 on Monday to seal England's fate, meet Portugal.

England were second best throughout Monday's game as France dominated, having 22 attempts at goal to their opponents' three.

Paris St-Germain forward Moussa Diaby was one of France's key men, setting up Alioui for the opener having already laid on a chance for Mickael Cuisance, who was brilliantly denied by Ellery Balcombe.

His work for the second goal was even better as he broke the offside trap and took a long ball forward in his stride before crossing low past Balcombe for Maolida to finish into an empty net.

Alioui's second - a brilliant finish from a tight angle after rounding the keeper - ended the contest, with substitute Gouiri sealing the victory with two neat follow-up finishes after saves by Balcombe.

That completed back-to-back 5-0 wins for France, who also hammered Turkey on Friday, and a disappointing end to a meek title defence from England.

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon were among the players absent. (BBC)

•Photo shows England under 19 coach Simpson. 

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 24, 2018

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