In what was a real second-half thriller at the NTC Senec on Tuesday, England mounted a stellar comeback as the Three Lions booked their spot in the final of this summer s U19 s European Championships final.
Enjoying what has quickly become a summer to remember out in Slovakia for the English starlets, Ian Foster’s squad should be relishing a showdown against Isreal on Friday night.
Showing real resolve after returning from the half-time break chasing a 1-0 deficit, goals from Alex Scott and Jarell Quansah clinched what was an iconic victory for Foster s budding stars.
Making the trip to the City Arena Trnava on Friday night tipped as a leading pick to claim their second European U19 s crown, we have taken a look at the main talking points following a thrilling display in Senec.
England underlines their wonderful summer
Heading into this summer s European Championships out in Slovakia riding a real wave, there is no doubt that England have only underlined their stellar rise under Foster.
With the 45-year-old suffering just a pair of defeats since taking charge with the young lions two years ago, the Whites have gained plenty of praise over the past couple of weeks.
Storming their way to Tuesday s semi-final by mustering nine points from their three Group B outings, Foster would have been most pleased by the resolve that his side displayed after going 1-0 down.
Watching Juventus Fabio Miretti convert from the spot early in the first-half, Foster also deserved plenty of credits for his adjustments after the restart.
With second-half sub Scott guiding his effort home with just his first touch, England s young starlets certainly put in the best 45-minute spell of their budding careers.
Despite managing to muster just a single shot on target throughout the first-half, Foster s side were overall a deserved winner in what was occasionally an ill-disciplined affair.
With Liverpool defender Quansah turning in his close-range header and met by a huge cheer from Foster and his backroom staff, the mood in England s camp should be at a red-hot high.
A perfect draw for the young lions
Watching Isreal open their own semi-final showdown against European heavyweights France tipped as a landslide underdog, England would have undoubtedly been expecting a showdown against Les Bleus on Friday night.
However, watching their Group B rivals clinch their own famous victory just a couple of hours after England took to the pitch in Senec, Foster s side should be smelling a golden chance at the City Arena Trnava.
Looking to claim their second U19 s European crown since 2017, the Whites did impress as they clinched a 1-0 victory against Isreal when the two sides signed off their group stage campaign last weekend.
With Manchester City s Liam Delap, son of former Stoke City defender Danny, bagging the only goal as Foster s side claimed a deserved victory in Slovakia.
With the likes of Arsenal s Aaron Ramsdale and Chelsea s Mason Mount the most notable of England s superstars that were successful on European duties five years ago, England have a new batch of budding young talent.
Watching Tottenham s Alfie Devine and Aston Villa s Carney Chukwuemeka really impress once again, a certain Gareth Southgate will be watching on with more than a keen eye this weekend.
Italy s heartbreak
Opening the scoring after just 12 minutes as Juventus starlet Miretti converted from the penalty spot, many would have been surprised by the way that Italy came roaring out the blocks.
However, while Carmine Nunziata s side might have limited England to just a single shot on target throughout the first-half, they largely failed to build off of that success after returning from the break.
Although the Blues might have managed to secure their spot in the semi-final with relative ease, they have shown some rather worrying issues over the past few days.
Signing off their Group A campaign with a nightmare display as they were hit with a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Les Blues, Nunziata s squad could only sign off their qualifying run with a worrying performance.
Blown away thanks to a 4-1 drumming against France last weekend, there could be some questions over what Nunziata s future holds past the summer.
Although Italy might leave Slovakia having reached their ninth European semi-finals on the spin, the Azzurri will be feeling like they missed the chance to make more history here.
Match Report:
England U19 s: Cox, Quansah, Edwards, Doyle, Norton-Cuffy, Iroegbunam, Chukwuemeka, Vale, Devine, Scarlett, Ramsey
Subs: Oyegoke, Scott, Jebbison, Bynoe-Gittens, Chambers
Italy U19 s: Desplanches, Turicchia, Ghilardi, Coppola, Giovane, Fabbian, Faticanti, Casadei, Miretti, Nasti, Ambrosino
Subs: Mulazzi, Fontanarosa, Baldanzi, Fazzini, Volpato
Goals: England U19 s: Scott (58 ), Quanshah (82 ) Italy U19 s: Miretti (12 Pen)
Yellow Cards: England U19 s: Scott, Iroegbunam, Devine, Jebbison Italy U19 s: Desplanches, Ghilardi, Coppola, Nasti, Miretti, Faticanti
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili
