Report: England MU18s 1-0 France

England men's under-18s continued their impressive form in 2025-26, as a stoppage-time winner from substitute Elijah Upson, claimed victory over France in an international at St. George's Park.

Following an unbeaten start to the campaign under Neil Ryan after beating Uzbekistan, Morocco and Canada in September, the Young Lions are in the final stages of preparations for November's FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar which this squad qualified for earlier this year at the UEFA U17 EURO Finals.

And they picked up an impressive win against Les Bleus, another nation who will be heading to Qatar next month.

England started on the front foot and Manchester City's Reigan Heskey, son of former Three Lions forward Emile, produced a wonderful solo run to the byline, before his effort was dealt with by the defence and gathered by the goalkeeper.

The opening 12 minutes were filled with chances for England, as captain Seth Ridgeon beat several players with dazzling footwork before finding Heskey who fired over the bar.

Ryan McAidoo and Wesley Okoduwa then linked up well for the Young Lions on the right flank, though their give-and-go move didn't quite come to fruition.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jun’ai Byfield displayed fantastic strength and timing as he slid across the turf on the byline to deny a chance for France but with half time approaching, the home side looked comfortable on the ball and were more than happy to keep possession.

England had their best chance from a late corner, as centre-back Freddie Simmonds leapt above everyone at the far post, powerfully heading the ball just over the crossbar and behind.

In the last chance of the half and deep into injury time, McAidoo floated a free-kick straight into Ilan Jourdren’s gloves.

After a wonderful move five minutes into the second half, Ridgeon had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee as the Young Lions persisted in their pursuit of an opener and they came close again when a well-delivered cross by McAidoo was spilled by Jourdren, with no-one able to capitalise on the rebound.

Heskey came the closest when he almost scored a wonder goal 25 minutes into the second half, as he unleashed a curling effort off the post as the game remained goalless.

England made eleven changes in the space of ten minutes shortly after, allowing for fresh legs in their pursuit of a goal, and the second half illustrated the home side's desire to keep the ball and make the most out of their possession, despite the game still being without an opener.

But England finally got their goal late into injury time, as Upson powerfully headed the ball into the net to win it.

Ryan’s side will now prepare to face France again this Sunday at St George’s Park.

England: 1 Owen Asemota (Aston Villa), 2 Wesley Okoduwa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 3 Bendito Mantato (Manchester United), 4 Harrison Miles (Manchester City), 5 Jun’ai Byfield (Tottenham Hotspur), 6 Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 7 Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City), 8 Seth Ridgeon (Fulham), 9 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea), 10 Igor Tyjon (Blackburn Rovers), 11 Reigan Heskey (Manchester City).

Substitutions: 13 Dylan Moody (Southampton) for Asemota 63’, 15 Elijah Upson (Tottenham Hotspur) for Byfield 63’, 12 Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa) for Tyjon 63’, 14 Ife Ibrahim (Arsenal) for Ridgeon 63’, 20 Reggie Walsh (Chelsea) for McAidoo 63’, 19 Benjamin Casey (Crystal Palace) for Chizaram Ezenwata 63’, 23 Dante Headley (Manchester City) for Okoduwa 74’, 16 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City) for Simmonds 74’, 18 Chinaza Nwosu (Nottingham Forest) for Miles 74’, 17 Landon Emenalo (Chelsea) for Mantato 74’, 21 Tynan Thompson (Tottenham Hotspur) for Heskey 74’.

Goals: Upton 90+6’.

Head Coach: Neil Ryan