England U19s had to settle for a draw in their second group game of the Euro Finals, when they were held by Ukraine in Seinajoki.
With both teams going into the match on back of opening game victories – Ukraine beat France on Tuesday – there was plenty to play for and it was a close encounter with both nations having opportunities in an open contest.
The Young Lions drew first blood thanks to Marcus Tavernier’s crisp early strike, before a well-taken equaliser from Ukraine’s Vladyslav Supriaha levelled things before the break.
And while Paul Simpson’s side certainly shaded the second half by attacking their opponents and dominating possession, there was always a danger their opponents were waiting for a chance to counter attack as they did so well in their win over France.
The result means that the group remains wide open going into Monday’s final round of games when England take on France and Ukraine face Turkey, with a semi-final spot and U20 World Cup place up for grabs.
Should both England and Ukraine avoid defeat in those matches, they would progress to next week's semi-finals.
England made a great start to this game too, unlike their opening game with Turkey earlier in the week, as they took the lead within eight minutes.
A corner from the right by Elliot Embleton was half-punched out by Ukraine goalkeeper Vladyslav Kucheruk, but only as far as Tavernier who struck an unstoppable half-volley with interest back through a crowded area and into the far corner.
But Ukraine always posed a threat and they drew level five minutes before the break when a high ball into the area was picked up by Supriaha who superbly held off Trevoh Chalobah before hitting a shot on the turn past Ellery Balcombe.
There were second-half opportunities for both sides, but it was England who came closest, with Adam Lewis proving a lively outlet on the left.
The Liverpool man’s cross midway through the half saw George Hirst put the ball home, but an offside flag ruled out that effort, before Lewis himself stung the hands of Kucheruk with a shot after another punch out from the keeper.
Ukraine held on though, as all four nations wait for Monday to decide this group. You can watch Monday’s game with France live on Sky Sports, with the match kicking-off at 4.30pm.
England: 1 Ellery Balcombe (Brentford), 2 Dujon Sterling (Coventry City, loan from Chelsea), 3 Adam Lewis (Liverpool), 4 Max Sanders (Brighton & Hove Albion), 5 Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur), 6 Trevoh Chalobah (Ipswich Town, loan from Chelsea), 7 Elliot Embleton (Sunderland), 8 Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough), 9 George Hirst (OH Leuven), 10 Ben Brereton (Ipswich Town), 18 Kelland Watts (Newcastle United).
Substitutes: 11 Ben Morris (Ipswich Town) for Hirst 81, 19 Nya Kirby (Crystal Palace) for Watts 84
Substitutes not used: 13 Jamie Cumming (Chelsea), , 12 Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea), 14 Ed Francis (Almere City, loan from Manchester City), 15 Thomas Bayliss (Coventry City), 16 Niall Ennis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 17 Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), 20 Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion).
Head coach: Paul Simpson
Goals: Marcus Tavernier 8
