Mathis Amougou and France Under-19s came from behind for an important European Championship qualifying victory, but there was to be no winning goal for an England Under-19s side featuring five Blues.
Having been drawn in a tough group featuring Spain, Italy and Latvia – with only one team progressing to the tournament itself – France Under-19s knew they needed a result when they faced Latvia in their second match of the Euros elite qualifying round.
After an opening loss to Spain, and Latvia’s draw with Italy, this match in Cosenza was a must-win for the French, who included Amougou in their midfield from the start.
However, they fell behind in the first half and were still trailing as the game entered the final 15 minutes, before goals in the 76th and 86th minutes, the latter from the penalty spot, turned it around. That moves them up to second in the table, but France know they must beat Italy on Tuesday, and hope Spain don’t do the same against Latvia.
After winning their opening game of the elite round in European Under-19 Championship qualifying, England named Harrison Murray-Campbell and Shumaira Mheuka in their line-up to face Turkiye. Tyrique George was introduced as a substitute for the last 10 minutes, with Josh Acheampong and Kiano Dyer remaining on the bench.
Mheuka twice forced saves from the Turkiye keeper in the first half, before George came as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock with an effort which flew inches wide, but the goal would not come and the Young Lions had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Regardless, a win over Portugal in their next game would guarantee qualification.
At Under-18s level, Genesis Antwi came off the bench at half-time for Sweden, as goals in either half saw them defeat Austria 2-0 in Spain. That leaves them well-placed in this month’s friendly Pinatar Cup, having drawn 1-1 with Scotland in their opening game, ahead of concluding against Poland on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Lucas Bergstrom featured throughout as a flurry of late goals saw Finland Under-21s lose 4-2 to Georgia, in a friendly in Turkiye as they prepare for this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.