The Young Lions started roaring after a poor first half that led to a brilliant solo strike from Israeli midfielder Oscar Gloukh (40). But Callum Doyle (52) equalized for England in the second period to take the game into extra time, before goals from Carney Chukwuemeka (108) – his third of the tournament – and Aaron Ramsey (116) ensured it was a lift by Ian Foster. the trophy. With the 2020 and 2021 editions canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, England – who missed out on the finals in 2005 and 2009 – have now won two of the previous four competitions after last tasting success in 2017. Picture: Aaron Ramsey (L) and Liam Delap (R) celebrate after Carney Chukwuemeka put England ahead
England player ratings
England: Cox (7), Oyegoke (7), Quansah (7), Edwards (8), Doyle (8), Chukwuemeka (7), Scott (7), Bynoe-Gittens (7), Devine (7), Vale (7 ), Scarlett (7). Subs: Ramsey (8), Norton-Cuffy (7), Iroegbunam (7), Chambers (7), Delap (7). Man of the Match: Callum Doyle.
Young Lions winners again
England were heavy favorites for the final at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in Trnava, having already beaten Israel 1-0 in the group stage of the competition. But it was their opponents – appearing in the final for the first time – who deservedly led at half-time and could have been further ahead had it not been for some resilient defending. The Young Lions struggled to deal with midfielder Israel Gloukh for long periods and it was the 18-year-old who put his side in front with a fantastic individual finish five minutes before the interval. The teenager collected a pass into the box and despite being surrounded by white shirts, produced a brilliant piece of skill to lose his marker and blister past England goalkeeper Matthew Cox for his third goal of the tournament.
Team news
Israel U19 coach Ofir Haim named an unchanged line-up after his side’s 2-1 win over France in the semi-finals. Attacking midfielder Oscar Gloukh once again started at No 10, with striker Ahmad Ebraheim leading the line. England U19 boss Ian Foster made three changes after Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Italy in the last four. Daniel Oyegoke, Alex Scott and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens replaced Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Timothy Iroegbunam and Aaron Ramsey in the starting XI. Image: Oscar Gloukh (R) impressed for Israel against England Israel, whose only other appearance at this competition was in 2014, dominated for long periods but England almost equalized in first-half stoppage time with their only shot on target. Israel No1 Tomer Jarfati crossed to allow Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett to turn and shoot, but the keeper redeemed himself to prevent it. England manager Foster’s words at half-time appeared to inspire his players and they soon returned to the final. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Binoe-Gittens takes a corner when his fierce shot is turned back at the near post by Jarfati. Alfie Devine’s flicked cross was headed across goal by Jarrell Kwansa, and Doyle turned the ball home. Image: Calum Doyle equalizes for England in the second half Chukwuemeka could have won it in normal time but his long-range effort hit the post with Tzarfati beaten, while Israel also had their chances with the impressive Gloukh at the heart of most of their attacks. But it was England who looked stronger and stronger as the match progressed into extra-time and their persistence paid off with the penalty shootout looming. Captain Harvey Vale’s left-footed cross from out wide found Chukwuemeka to put England in front, but Israel almost hit back when Gloukh’s chipped volley was cleared by Doyle off the line. Four minutes from time though and the result was beyond doubt, Ramsey following up some good work from Liam Delap.
“It means everything” | “We deserved it”
England U19 boss Ian Foster told UEFA.com: “Stubbornness in Israel, in the first half they were by far the better team. The only positive from the first half is that it was only one. “We changed a few things at half-time and I think during the second 45 minutes and extra time, we were deserved winners. “I’m happy for the players. They’ve worked very, very hard. Not just in this camp, but in March and November to get us here.” Picture: England U19 boss Ian Foster celebrates with the European Championship trophy
Who is England U19 manager Ian Foster?
Ian Foster was part of Steve Cooper’s England U17 coaching staff in 2017 when they won the World Cup in India. He later won the role of England U18 manager during a period of downtime due to Covid-19, but oversaw a record seven wins and two draws from nine games and was later promoted to U19 manager. England U19 captain Harvey Vale said: “We certainly didn’t make it easy for ourselves, especially in that first half. We never stopped believing. The unity in this group – all 21 players, all the staff , plays into that. We never hide from the fact that we know we can win games, no matter the score. I think that’s really gotten us to this point and that’s what won us this tournament. “It means everything. We’ve all watched England teams in the past and dreamed of playing for an England team, regardless of winning a trophy for your country. I don’t think there’s a better honor than that in football. It means people for all of us. To have family here, people here who have watched us and sacrificed our whole lives, it’s incredible. I’m so proud.” Carney Chukwuemeka: “I’m pumped. I didn’t know what to do when I scored. The adrenaline kicked in and I started running. We got the win and lifted the trophy. You can’t ask for much more. You dream of moments like this and for this to happen is a dream that it becomes reality”. Aaron Ramsey: “It means everything. I’ve been with England since I was 16, so all that hard work from there, through the training camp to now to win it – I don’t think many players can say that.” After the match, England captain Harry Kane congratulated the U19s on Twitter. “Brilliant lads. Well done and enjoy the holidays,” he posted.
Southgate will be watching
Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom: The last time the U19s tasted success at the Euros five years ago, the team that beat Portugal in the final included Mason Mount, Reece James and Aaron Ramsdale, all of whom have gone on to become senior internationals under manager Gareth Southgate. It was a convincing campaign in Slovakia for the Young Lions overall. They topped their group with wins over Austria, Serbia and Israel before beating Italy in the semi-final to maintain their perfect record en route to the final, conceding just one goal along the way. Despite a difficult opening 45 minutes which saw the Young Lions concede for the first time from open play, Foster’s side have impressed throughout the summer. It may be too late to earn a call-up to this year’s World Cup in Qatar, but there will certainly be some in this squad who can realistically aim to be on the plane for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. England’s future is bright.
England’s success in youth tournaments
2017 U20 World Cup winners (beating Venezuela 1-0 in the final) European U19 Championship winners in 2017 (beating Portugal 2-1 in the final) 2017 U17 World Cup winners (beating Spain 5-2 in the final) Winners of the European U19 Championship in 2022 (defeating Israel 3-1 in the final)
Basic statistics
England have won the European U19 Championship twice (2017 and 2022) England striker Dane Scarlett scored a total of eight goals during the tournament (six in the qualifiers and two in the finals) Going into the final, this was Israel’s best finish in the competition. Their previous best was in the group stage in 2014 Oscar Gloukh and Carney Chukwuemeka both scored three goals in the finals, just one short of tournament top scorer and French forward Loum Tchaouna.
