TBILISI: England scored another age-group triumph when the latest youth squad won the European Under-19 Championship with a 2-1 victory over Portugal in Georgia.
This success followed England’s World U-2o triumph and Toulon tournament successes last month when the under-21s also reached the semi-finals of their own European tournament.
Aston Villa’s Easah Suliman put the Young Lions ahead only for Chelsea’s Dujon Sterling to slice the ball into his own net six minutes later. Victory was secured by Manchester City striker Lukas Nmecha.
England manager Keith Downing also saw his side play with 10 men for the last nine minutes after Fulham’s Tayo Edun was sent off for a second yellow card.
The Under-19s reached the final having topped their group before beating the Czech Republic and Germany in the knockout stages.
Downing praised his side for their character against a “lot of pressure” from Portugal.
He said: “These boys are a talented youngsters. There are six under the age of 18 but they showed their resilience as well as quality.”
Downing said the Football Association’s investment into St George’s Park has created “huge momentum” in youth football.
He added: “What we need to do now is sustain this success and continue working through all the age groups. It’s been a big year for us and we will enjoy it but there is continued work.”