Slovakia 2-2 England MU17

Nico O’Reilly’s 88th-minute goal ensured England men’s under-17s finished their Euro qualifying round matches unbeaten after a 2-2 draw with Slovakia.

The Young Lions had already recorded a 7-0 win over Armenia and a 1-0 victory against hosts Belarus in the last week heading into this contest with Slovakia.

The top two from the 13 mini qualifying groups and the four third-placed teams with the best records against the top two in their section join top seeds Netherlands and Spain in the qualifying ‘elite’ round in the Spring, with 15 countries eventually joining hosts Israel in the UEFA Under-17 European Championship Finals next summer.

And second-half goals from substitutes Emre Tezgel and O’Reilly ensured Tom Curtis’ side came from behind to draw with Slovakia and top qualifying Group 13.

Slovakia took the lead midway through the first half when a poor clearance from England goalkeeper Darryl Ombang was intercepted by Zoran Záhradník and although his effort was saved, Milan Simon Rehus followed up to score.

The advantage was doubled five minutes before the break when confusion between Isaac Smith and Ombang allowed Záhradník to bundle home.

England boss Curtis made a triple substitution just before the hour mark and one of them scored the equaliser. 

Manchester United’s Habeeb Ogunneye showed superb feet in the penalty area and when he was brought down in the box, replacement Tezgel sent his spot kick into the bottom corner.

England continued to apply pressure and in the dying minutes, another replacement, O’Reilly, scored the crucial equaliser when he toe-poked Amario Cozier-Duberry’s cross past the goalkeeper with just two minutes remaining.

England: 13 Darryl Ombang (Leeds United), 4 Rio Kyerematen (Tottenham Hotspur), 6 Joshua Feeney (Aston Villa) ©, 9 Jobe Bellingham (Birmingham City), 10 Jamie Donley (Tottenham Hotspur), 11 Sonny Finch (Middlesbrough), 12 Amario Cozier-Duberry (Arsenal), 15 Isaac Smith (Manchester City), 16 Kane Taylor (Manchester City), 17 Habeeb Ogunneye (Manchester United), 19 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)

Substitutes: 18 Samuel Rak-Sakyi (Chelsea) for Kyerematen 57, 7 Leo Castledine (Chelsea) for Finch 57, 14 Emre Tezgel (Stoke City) for Donley 57, 8 Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City) for Bellingham 73, 20 Travis Patterson (Aston Villa) for Mainoo 73 

Substitutes not used: 1 Tommy Setford (Ajax), 2 Josh Davidson (Liverpool), 3 Oliver Scarles (West Ham United), 5 Tyler Fredricson (Manchester United)

Head coach: Tom Curtis

Goals: Emre Tezgel 71 (p), Nico O’Reilly 88