England edge off France 2-1 in UEFA U-19 European Championship
Xinhua, July 13, 2016 Adjust font size:
Celment Michelin's own goal and Dominic Solanke's goal were enough for England to move 2-1 past France at the second encounter of Group B in the Under-19 EURO in Heidenheim, Germany on Tuesday.
England grabbed three points after capitalizing on France's early own goal through Michelin as Solanke doubled the lead. France remained unimpressed but were only able to reduced the arrears thanks to Jean-Kevin Augustin.
England caught a fairy tale start into the clash as France's Celment Michelin cleared Dominic Solanke's low cross into the wrong goal with three minutes into the game.
Hence, the Englishmen gained momentum and doubled their advantage only six minutes later after Solanke benefited on a through ball from Oluwaseyi Ojo to overcome onrushing France goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni.
Despite the 2-0 deficit, France gained foothold into the game and pulled one back as Amine Harit's free-kick cross found Jean-Kevin Augustin, who tapped home into the top right corner in the 33rd minute.
The Frenchmen took the reins after the restart but neither Michelin, who rattled the woodwork, nor Ludovic Blas, whose shot missed the target just wide, were able to level the scores with their long-range efforts.
England should have made it 3-1 but France goalkeeper Bernardoni denied Tammy Abraham's as well as Ryan Ledson's counter attacks in the closing period.
With the result, England and the Netherland share the first place in Group B followed by winless France and Croatia. Endit