England Under-17s battle to a goalless draw in Chile

Despite suffering a 4-3 reverse in the penalty shoot-out that followed the final whistle, the contest provided Neil Dewsnip's men with the ideal experience in front of a partisan home crowd ahead of their opening FIFA World Cup match on Saturday.

England had begun the game brightly and as striker Ike Ugbo won an early free-kick, Marcus Edwards' effort from 20 yards was deflected inches over the bar.

The breakthrough almost arrived on the 15 minute mark as Stephy Mavididi held off a defender to control a lovely weighted pass from Herbie Kane down the right of the area. The Arsenal man spotted the onrushing Edwards and laid the ball into his path, but keeper Zacarias Lopes produced a fine save to deny him and Ugbo was unable to scramble home the rebound.

England were looking comfortable, but backed by a vocal home crowd, La Roja pressed forward and almost broke the deadlock in a manic few moments for the Young Lions defence.

Having fired one just inches over seconds earlier, Chilean midfielder Yerko Leiva’s cross from the right was dipping into the top corner only for a splendid one-handed stop from shotstopper Alfie Whiteman to keep the scores level.

The resulting corner from Leiva caused more panic in the visiting defence as the ball ping-ponged around the goalmouth, before skipper Tom Davies was able to scramble it to safety.

Kazaiah Sterling wins an aerial duel against Chile

Dewsnip’s men then retaliated as Edwards burst down the left and crossed for Mavididi, who controlled brilliantly on the six yard box but saw his fierce drive blocked by the body of the keeper.

As the half came to a close, both sides were looking dangerous but England had Jay DaSilva to thank for going in level. Luciano Diaz split the English defence before Marcelo Allende went to shoot once clear on goal, but the Chelsea left-back’s vital interception from behind prevented him from a shot on goal.

Six changes were made by Dewsnip at the break as he changed the formation to a midfield diamond, but they were soon on the back foot again after the restart.

Gonzalo Jara unleashed a fierce drive that just dipped just over sub keeper Will Huffer’s crossbar, before the Leeds United goalie’s clearance was blocked by the same man. The ball fell to Luis Salas who slotted home, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag to the annoyance of the home crowd.

Back came England, as Chilean midfielder Ignacio Saavedra saw his name go into the book for a professional foul just inside his own half after a cynical trip on Kaylen Hinds just as he was about to release Rushian Hepburn-Murphy on goal.

Will Patching then came close with a dipping free-kick that was tipped over before the hosts threatened again when Brian Leiva headed wide at the back post. He came even closer to a breakthrough shortly after, as he struck the bar with another header.

Marcus Wood appeared as a second half sub against Chile

But as play entered the final 15 minutes the Young Lions almost took the lead in fortuitous circumstances when an attempted clearance struck the back of the referee and fell perfectly to Kaylen Hinds, who struck a sweet drive from distance towards the bottom corner, only to see Lopes get down well to tip the ball around the post.

England survived a late bout of pressure from the hosts as the home faithful attempted to roar their boys to victory, but the English rearguard, in particular DaSilva and Ro-Shaun Williams, held firm as the contest ended all-square and penalties would be needed.

And the scores were level at 3-3 before Hinds saw his spot-kick saved, then after Leiva put his side ahead, Easah Suliman was the unfortunate man to be denied with the last kick as the Young Lions went down 4-3 in what could be a vital experience for the players as they approach the World Cup.

And all attentions will now turn to their opener against Guinea in five days time.

Chile (4-1-3-2): 23 Zacarias Lopes (San Marcos); 2 Simon Ramirez (Huachipato), 13 Camilo Moya (Universidad de Chile), 3 Fabian Monilla (Universidad Catolica), 17 Diego Soto (Universidad de Concepcion); 6 Ignacio Saavedra (Universidad Catolica); 8 Yerko Leiva (Universidad de Chile), 10 Marcelo Allende (Cobreloa, captain), 11 Luciano Diaz (Universidad de Chile): 7 Gonzalo Jara (Universidad Catolica), 21 Luis Salas (Colo Colo)

Substitutes: 19 Walter Ponce (Palestino) for Salas, 16 Brian Leiva (Volante) for Ramirez, 24 Diego Gonzalez (Ohiggins) for Jara, 15 Rene Melendez (Audax Italiano) for Diaz 62, 20 Mathias Pinto (Delantero) for Allende 73

Subs not used: 1 Luis Ureta (Ohiggins), 12 Ignacio Azua (Universidad de Chile), 4 Manuel Reyes (Universidad Catolica), 9 Gabriel Mazuela (Universidad de Chile), 25 Juan Soriano (Universidad Catolica)

Bookings: Saavedra 53

England (4-2-3-1): 22 Alfie Whiteman (Tottenham); 2 James Yates (Everton), 6 Ro-Shaun Williams (Manchester United), 5 Danny Collinge (Stuttgart), 3 Jay DaSilva (Chelsea); 4 Tom Davies (C) (Everton), 18 Herbie Kane (Liverpool); 19 Ike Ugbo (Chelsea), 7 Will Patching (Manchester City), 10 Marcus Edwards (Tottenham); 16 Stephy Mavididi (Arsenal)

Substitutes: 13 Will Huffer (Leeds United) for Whiteman 45, 17 Kazaiah Sterling (Tottenham) for Mavididi 45, 20 Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Aston Villa) for Edwards 45, 11 Chrissy Willock (Arsenal) for Ugbo 45, 9 Kaylen Hinds (Arsenal) for Kane, 15 Easah Suliman (Aston Villa) for Collinge 45, 8 Marcus Wood (Manchester City) for Patching 62

Subs not used: 1 Paul Woolston (Newcastle United), 12 Tayo Edun (Fulham), 14 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Bookings: Willock 75, Wood 80, Davies 90

Head coach: Neil Dewsnip