Report: Israel 1-1 England MU17s

England MU17s finished top of their UEFA U17 EURO qualifying round group after forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan came off the bench to score a late equaliser against Israel.

The Young Lions had already secured qualification to the elite round of qualifying with 3-1 and 6-2 wins over Lithuania and Georgia respectively in the last week.

But it looked as though they might have to settle for second in Group 3 of the qualifying round as Israel led 1-0 heading into the final ten minutes.

That was until Southampton’s Morgan made it three goals in as many games to secure a 1-1 draw and top spot in the group.

Israel had taken the lead just after the half-hour mark through Liran Hazan as the opposition edged a close first period.

The Young Lions had a great chance to pull level six minutes after the restart when Anas Sarsur brought down Myles Lewis-Skelly in the penalty box. But Arsenal’s impressive youngster Ethan Nwaneri saw his effort saved by Liran Dayan.

Morgan, who had bagged a brace against Georgia in the second group game, had started the contest with Israel on the bench but having come on in the 63rd minute, the 16-year-old grabbed a late equaliser with a brilliantly composed finish.

It meant Ryan Garry’s side finished top of Group 3 on seven points, with Israel on five, as both teams progressed to the 32-team elite round of qualifying in the spring. 

Those countries will then hope to join hosts Hungary at the 16-team UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals from 17 May to 2 June 2023.

England: 1 Ted Curd (Chelsea), 3 Jayden Meghoma (Southampton), 4 Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), 5 Zach Abbott (Nottingham Forest), 6 Ishé Samuels-Smith (Everton), 7 Justin Oboavwoduo (Manchester City), 12 Lakyle Samuel (Manchester City) (captain), 14 Chris Rigg (Sunderland), 17 Tyler Dibling (Southampton), 18 Jamaldeen Jimoh (West Bromwich Albion), 20 Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

Substitutes: 9 Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Southampton) for Dibling 63, 10 Michael Golding (Chelsea) for Rigg 63, 8 Kiano Dyer (Chelsea) for Jimoh 76, 11 Oliver Irow (Tottenham Hotspur) for Oboavwoduo 85, 15 Mirsad Ali (Leicester City) for Meghoma 85

Substitutes not used: 13 Jack Thompson (Derby County), 2 Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), 16 Travis Akomeah (Chelsea), 19 Leon Chiwome (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Head coach: Ryan Garry

Goals: Jimmy-Jay Morgan 83

Bookings: Jayden Meghoma 23, Chris Rigg 32, Jamaldeen Jimoh 54