Final fightback takes England U21s to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico

Saturday 09 Jun 2018
England won the Maurice Revello Tournament for the third year in a row

England Under 21s claimed Toulon Tournament glory for the third successive year as they fought back to beat Mexico 2-1 in the final. 

Despite trailing within two minutes, the Young Lions showed immense resolve with first-half strikes from Dael Fry and Kieran Dowell securing the silverware. 

The two sides played out a goalless draw in Group A of the Maurice Revello Tournament and England were worthy victors in their final rematch. 

Aidy Boothroyd’s side follow the 2016 title under Gareth Southgate and the mixed-age winners of the golden summer of 2017, with Neil Dewsnip at the helm. 

England Under 21s 2-1 Mexico Under 21s
  • Toulon Tournament
  • Stade Francis-Turcan
  • Tom Harle
England were behind within 80 seconds in Martiges, Roberto Alvarado sweeping past Freddie Woodman from Eduardo Aguirre’s left-wing cross. 

Jonjoe Kenny, one of two ever-presents alongside Dael Fry, intervened to stab clear an Uriel Antuna effort and the midfielder drove the rebound over. 

Resilience was required as Mexico nicked possession in a deep position, seven-goal tournament top scorer Aguirre firing past Freddie Woodman’s near post. 

The Young Lions gradually drew the sting from the South Americans, Ronaldo Vieira seeing his powerful drive blocked from range.

But Woodman had to be alert again on 28 minutes, Gerardo Arteaga striding into space and forcing the custodian to parry his low strike to safety. 

The England equaliser arrived just past the half hour, Fry stabbing home a poacher’s effort after keeper José Hernández spilled Jake Clarke-Salter’s long throw. 

Four minutes later they were ahead, Eddie Nketiah leaving his defender in the dust and accurately crossing for Kieran Dowell who slotted into the bottom right corner. 

Mexico had a sight of goal seconds after the interval, Aguirre unable to finish off a quick counter-attack with Woodman more than equal to his shot. 

A flowing move nearly put Boothroyd’s side further in front, Tammy Abraham backheeling Nketiah into the box but the Arsenal man. 

Abraham couldn’t have come closer to a third with 15 minutes, Dowell weaving between defenders into the box before the striker struck the outside of the post.

Mexico threw the kitchen sink at England in the closing stages and had four strikers on the pitch by injury time, but England's defence were rarely troubled as they turned in a performance befitting champions. 

England: 1 Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), 2 Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), 4 Lewis Cook (AFC Bournemouth), 5 Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), 7 Kieran Dowell (Nottingham Forest), 9 Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), 10 Ronaldo Vieira (Leeds United), 12 Jake Clarke-Salter (Chelsea), 14 Jay Da Silva (Chelsea), 17 Callum Connolly (Everton), 19 Edward Nketiah (Arsenal).

Substitutes: 16 Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City) for Vieira 51, 20 Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City) for Nketiah 76, 11 Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United) for Abraham 79, 6 Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea) for Connolly 80

Substitutes not used: 13 Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth), 8 Tom Davies (Everton), 18 Tom Pearce (Leeds United), 15 Ezri Konsa (Charlton Athletic) 

Goals: Fry 32, Dowell 36 

Head coach: Aidy Boothroyd

See more news on the U21's here. 

 

By FA Staff