England suffered a 2-1 defeat against Germany in their opening game of the UEFA European U19 Championships on Tuesday night.
Two first-half goals at St. Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park put the Germans in control at the break, an advantage which they never let slip despite some late pressure from the Young Lionesses.
Rehanne Skinner’s side won't be too disheartened by the result though, knowing there’s still opportunity to progress to the semi-finals with two group games still to come against Spain and Belgium.
And they were unfortunate too, with Germany showing a real ruthless streak to take the lead after 12 minutes when Paulina Krumbeigel drove at the England defence before passing out to Gina Chmielinski on the right. Her cross was perfect for Melissa Kossler to glance a header home from close range.
The Young Lionesses could and should’ve been level, as Jessica Naz broke into the box just after the half-hour mark and picked out Ebony Salmon in the centre, who fired over the bar.
Within 30 seconds, Germany had their second when a long ball over the top from defender Lisa Ebert was latched onto by Krumbiegel who took the ball in her stride before clipping a shot past Hannah Hampton.
After the break, Lauren James tried her luck with a thumping left-footer which forced Wiebe Willebrandt into a save before Germany’s Nicole Anyomi poked a shot narrowly wide after a darting run into the box at the other end.
England kept searching for a way back and they were denied by Willebrandt again when she denied Lauren Hemp with a smart save.
James then came even closer in the 89th minute when her thunderous free-kick from the edge of the box beat the wall and Willebrandt only to come crashing back off the bar.
But in the second minute of added time, England found a lifeline when Hemp’s excellent run and cross from the left was laid into the path of Naz, who finished well into the bottom corner.
The Lionesses threw everything forward in the search for an equaliser, but when the impressive Willebrandt collected a late corner in a crowded area, the whistle sounded to bring an entertaining game to an end.
England: 1 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), 2 Grace Neville (London City Lionesses), 3 Olivia Smith (University of Central Florida), 4 Aimee Palmer (Manchester United), 5 Esme Morgan (Manchester City) (c), 6 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida), 9 Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), 10 Emily Syme (Aston Villa), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 14 Lauren James (Manchester United), 16 Ebony Salmon (Unattached).
Substitutes: 19 Asmita Ale (Aston Villa) for Neville 56, 12 Ella Rutherford (Bristol City) for Palmer 75
Substitutes not used: 13 Emily Ramsey (Manchester United), 7 Lucy Fitzgerald (London City Lionesses), 8 Amy Rodgers (Liverpool), 15 Niamh Cashin (Rider University), 17 Jessica Park (Manchester City), 18 Molly Pike (Everton), 20 Kiera Skeels (Reading)
Head coach: Rehanne Skinner
Goals: Jessica Naz 90+2
