Belgium struck a late blow to claim a 2-1 victory over England U17s at St. George's Park.
Matthias Verreth's strike eight minutes from time secured the victory for the visitors, cancelling out Demetri Mitchell's equaliser earlier in the second half and leave both teams with a victory this week following England's win by the same score on Tuesday.
The Young Lions lined-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Manchester United's Mitchell at the prong of the attack. Debutant Connor Mahoney played on the right with Brandon Fox on the left in support with Callum Cooke offering support just behind the front man.
England U17s 1-2 Belgium
International U17 Match
12noon, Thursday 30 January
St. George's Park
Max Lowe and Lewis Cook were in the middle with a back line of Jonjoe Kenny, Tom Brewitt, Dael Fry and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson protecting 'keeper Sam Howes.
As the drizzle hit St. George's Park, the match started slowly although England were controlling possession, with wide men Mahoney and Fox looking lively.
John Peacock was forced into an early change when Brewitt left the field after taking a knock to his knee, and Stefan O'Connor came on to replace the Liverpool youngster.
As was the case in Tuesday's game, Belgium struck first and it came against the run of play. With 19 minutes on the clock, the impressive Dylan Damraoui picked up possession and spread play to the right flank to Jeff Callebaut, who whipped in a cross. The English defence could only clear the ball to the edge of the area where Damraoui was lying in wait, and he drilled an unstoppable shot from twenty yards into the top corner.
England almost hit back within five minutes, with Mahoney coming close only to see his strike from the edge of the area bounce back off the outside of the post.
The hosts continued to huff and puff as half time approached, but Fox's left-footer over the bar was all they had to show for their efforts.
The second half started much brighter for England and they drew level three minutes in. Cooke picked up the ball in the centre and spotted the forward run of Mitchell. The Middlesbrough midfielder delivered a beautiful lofted pass, tempting the Quintijn Steelant to the edge of his area but Mitchell darted past the defence to get there first and knock the ball over the 'keeper and into the net.
Lewis Cook shot wide from 25 yards and Mitchell struck straight at Steelant as the game became more open, Belgium twice catching England on the counter with Howes producing a great point-blank save from Thibault Vlietnck just after the hour mark.
The game swung back and forth as both sides showed their intent on winning the match, but it was the visitors who struck a cruel blow for England.
When the Young Lions defence failed to clear from a Belgian attack down the right channel, the ball was slid across the area towards the feet of Matthias Verreth, who fired home right-footed from six yards.
England tried valiantly for an equaliser, and came mightily close in the dying seconds as Mitchell forced Steelant into a save low to his left from a free-kick and Borthwick-Jackson headed wide in additional time.
England U17s: 13 Sam Howes, 2 Jonjoe Kenny (c) (12 Tafari Moore, 67), 3 Max Lowe (4 Ryan Ledson, 53), 16 Tom Brewitt (5 Stefan O’Connor, 16), 6 Dael Fry, 14 Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 8 Callum Cooke, 11 Brandon Fox (7 Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 63), 17 Lewis Cook, 10 Demetri Mitchell, 19 Connor Mahoney.
Subs not used: 1 Dean Henderson.
Belgium: 12 Quintijn Steelant, 13 Jeff Callebaut (8 Casper De Norre, 74), 3 Nathan Leyder (c), 4 Dries Wouters (15 Andrea Morias, 40), 6 Ilkan Cavus, 7 Paolino Bertaccini (11 Matthias Verreth, 57), 9 Nany Dimata, 14 Dylan Damraoui (5 Jonathan Mambabua, 80)16 Ayron Verkindere, 17 Arno Verschueren, 18 Thibault Vlietnck.
Subs not used: 1 Nordin Jackers, 2 Yan De Maeyer.
