Report: England MU18s 0-0 Germany (5-3 pens)

England men’s under-18s beat Germany on penalties after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the U18 Pinatar Super Cup.

This was the second of three games for the MU18s at the Pinatar Arena as part of the mini-tournament, following Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Czechia.

Both teams received a point when they couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes and then it was England who secured the additional point after winning 5-3 on penalties.

It means the Young Lions head into Monday’s final game against the Netherlands (kick-off 12pm) knowing victory would secure the U18 Pinatar Super Cup.

Tom Curtis was leading the MU18s once again and will do so until the end of the 2023-24 season, alongside his other roles at the FA and with England.

Germany enjoyed the better of the opportunities in the first half, as England goalkeeper Finlay Herrick twice rushed out to deny Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and then Max Moerstedt.

Noah Darvich and Paris Brunner both saw efforts go wide for Germany, whilst Eric da Silva Moreira also had a powerful drive well held by Herrick.

England did create a decent opening with some good play when Triston Rowe was slipped in on goal but the offside flag went up.

Brunner flashed a dangerous shot across goal early in the second half but England went closest to opening the scoring just before the hour mark when some fine play resulted in Jayden Meghoma standing the ball up at the far post and Jayden Danns’ header down into the ground was heading in before Max Schmitt saved expertly.

The Young Lions were then the better side for much of the second half as Danns and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw both had goal-bound shots blocked.

England then went very close to opening the scoring once more when Danns picked out the run of Tyrique George to put him through one-on-one but his shot was a little too central and was saved by Schmitt.

Amo-Ameyaw had another effort diverted into the side-netting following an impressive run, meaning the game headed to penalties.

Herrick produced a great save during the spot-kicks, meaning converted efforts from Danns, George, Tyler Dibling, Amo-Ameyaw and Reiss Alexander Russell-Denny secured the additional point for the Young Lions.

The Young Lions were then the better side for much of the second half as Danns and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw both had goal-bound shots blocked.

England then went very close to opening the scoring once more when Danns picked out the run of Tyrique George to put him through one-on-one but his shot was a little too central and was saved by Schmitt.

Amo-Ameyaw had another effort diverted into the side-netting following an impressive run, meaning the game headed to penalties.

Herrick produced a great save during the spot-kicks, meaning converted efforts from Danns, George, Tyler Dibling, Amo-Ameyaw and Reiss Alexander Russell-Denny secured the additional point for the Young Lions.

England: 1 Finlay Herrick (West Ham United), 2 Tristan Rowe (Aston Villa), 3 Jayden Meghoma (Southampton), 4 Lewis Orford (West Ham United), 5 Harrison Murray-Campbell (Chelsea), 6 Amara Nallo (Liverpool), 7 Trey Nyoni (Liverpool), 8 Kiano Dyer (Chelsea), 9 Jayden Danns (Liverpool), 10 Jamaldeen Jimoh (Aston Villa), 11 Joel Ndala (Manchester City)

Substitutes: 14 Reiss Alexander Russell-Denny (Chelsea) for Orford 61, 17 Tyrique George (Chelsea) for Nyoni 61, 20 Tyler Dibling (Southampton) for Jimoh 61, 21 Samuel Amo-Ameyaw (Southampton) for Ndala 69, 16 Ishé Samuels Smith (Chelsea) for Nallo 69

Substitutes not used: 13 Matthew Young (Darlington, loan from Sunderland), 22 Jack Thompson (Derby County), 12 Leo Black (Tottenham Hotspur), 15 Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), 18 Michael Golding (Chelsea), 19 Leon Chiwome (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Interim head coach: Tom Curtis