Report: England MU19s 2-3 Germany

England men's Under-19s lost 3-2 to Germany in their third game of a busy September camp in Croatia.

Ethan Nwaneri and Tyler Dibling were the goalscorers in a topsy-turvy game that the Young Lions had plenty of despite the scoreline.

England started the game with purpose, Nwaneri going close with a strike from outside the box on 14 minutes.

But despite enjoying plenty of possession, they were behind four minutes later when a defensive mix-up allowed Max Moerstedt to open the scoring.

Will Antwi's side continued to probe but were frustrated by some stubborn defending and eye-catching goalkeeping, while Ethan Wheatley was booked in the latter stages of the opening period.

England started the second half strongly, too, with Nwaneri's brilliant effort being denied by an equally good save before the Arsenal man fired a free-kick just wide of the target.

But the No10 was finally rewarded for his persistence on 58 minutes as he curled home an equaliser with his left foot to deservedly bring his team level.

Both teams continued to exchange opportunities, Tommy Setford saving well at one end before Josh Ajala slipped as he shaped to shoot at the other.

A flurry of substitutions followed and as the game lost some of its rhythm, Germany retook the lead. Said El Mala was the man on target, hooking home as the ball bounced around the box with 12 minutes to play.

Four minutes later, the Germans seemed to have had put the game beyond doubt as El Mala notched again to make it 3-1.

England did make things interesting, substitute Tyler Dibling driving forward and finishing from 20 yards to set up a grandstand finish, but were unable to draw level.

England: 1 Tommy Setford (Arsenal), 2 Leo Black (Tottenham Hotspur), 3 Jayden Meghoma (Brentford), 4 Kiano Dyer (C) (Chelsea), 5 Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), 6 Harrison Murray-Campbell (Chelsea), 7 Samuel Amo-Ameyaw (Southampton), 8 Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny (Chelsea), 9 Ethan Wheatley (Manchester United), 10 Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), 11 Mikey Moore (Tottenham Hotspur)

Substitutes: 16 Josh Ajala (West Ham United) for Wheatley 68, 17 Joe Johnson (Luton Town) for Murray-Campbell 68, 12 Matthew Henderson-Hall (Manchester City) for Black 75, 14 Tyler Dibling (Southampton) for Russell-Denny 75, 15 Tyrique George (Chelsea) for Amo-Ameyaw 75

Substitutes not used: 13 Finlay Herrick (West Ham United), 18 Romelle Donovan (Birmingham City), 19 Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), 20 Ayden Heaven (Arsenal), 21 Ishe Samuels-Smith (Chelsea), 22 Sam Proctor (Aston Villa)

Head Coach: Will Antwi