England were on the end of an unfortunate defeat against Chile in their final group game at the Maurice Revello Tournament on Friday evening.
For the third match in succession, the Young Lions had taken the lead in a game only to see their opponents bounce back following similar reverses against Japan and Portugal in their opening two games.
Paul Simpson’s men could consider themselves really unfortunate on this occasion though, having comfortably held their South American opponents at arm’s length for the majority of the game and seeing Joe Willock open the scoring in first-half stoppage time.
But two goals in the last four minutes from Chile turned the game on its head to ensure England’s defence of the title ended with them finishing bottom of their group.
After a lively opening half-hour, albeit with no goals, England’s rhythm was disrupted when Reece James fell awkwardly after a challenge and was eventually carried off after a lengthy spell of treatment on the pitch and obvious concern for the Chelsea defender.
It was that stoppage which led to six minutes of added time, during which England made their breakthrough.
Eberechi Eze swung over a corner from the left and when Marc Guehi’s bullet header forced a save from Ureta, Willock was on the spot to fire home the rebound to register his second goal in two games.
Four minutes after the break, Eze was a slither away from doubling England’s lead after doing well to cut inside from the left before firing a low shot just wide of the post.
The QPR winger then saw an effort hit the side netting after he’d got on the end of a cross from Kyle Edwards, as England looked to double their lead and pick up a win.
For Chile, chances were minimal and the nearest they came was when captain Suazo’s late corner floated over everyone before bouncing off the top of the bar and over.
But they drew level with just three minutes to go, when Morales sent an inch perfect pass into the area for the onrushing Ignacio Jara to finish well past Ellery Balcombe.
And there was a double blow to follow, as Pablo Arranguiz found space on the right and saw his cross-shot divert off the back of Guehi and past Balcombe for an unlikely winner.
England will now end their campaign next week when they will play Guatemala on Tuesday 11 June (3pm) to determine ninth and tenth place.
England: 1 Ellery Balcombe (Brentford), 2 Reece James (Chelsea), 3 Tom Pearce (Leeds United), 5 Marc Guehi (Chelsea), 6 Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) (C), 7 Eberechi Eze (QPR), 8 Joe Willock (Arsenal), 9 Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), 10 Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough), 12 Steven Sessegnon (Fulham), 16 Kyle Edwards (WBA)
Substitutes: 4 Sam Field (WBA) for James 37, 19 Josh Sims (Southampton) for Eze 75, 11 Dwight McNeil (Burnley) for Edwards 76, 15 Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) for Field 79
Substitutes not used: 13 Nathan Bishop (Southend United), 14 George Hirst (OH Leuven), 18 Max Lowe (Derby County), 20 Josh Dasilva (Brentford), 21 Danny Loader (Reading), 22 Jamie Shackleton (Leeds United)
Head coach: Paul Simpson
Goals: Joe Willock 45+5
Cautions: Sessegnon 82
