Report: England MU18s 1-3 Spain

England men’s under-18s were denied the chance to top Group A5 after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Spain in their UEFA U19 EURO 2027 qualifying campaign.

The loss for England extends Spain’s lead at the top of the group to six points, as England remain second on three.

After conceding a goal early on and a further one before half time, Chizaram Ezenwata made it three goals in two games as he converted from the penalty spot, before Spain added a third with nine minutes left of the second half.

England were under some pressure early on, as goalkeeper Jack Porter was called on in the fourth minute for the Young Lions, denying an effort from Spain defender Alex Campos to rule out an opener.

England were behind shortly after as Manuel Angel Castillo finished to open the scoring in Croatia.

England failed to create any real chances inside the opening half an hour, despite an effort from Chelsea forward Ezenwata threatening an equaliser in the 20th minute.

Teenager Ezenwata looked to continue his impressive form after bagging two goals in Wednesday’s victory against Bulgaria.

The Young Lions’ first half frustrations were added to when Landon Emenalo was booked with ten minutes to go until half time, following a foul on Dro Fernandez.

Ezenwata looked to ignite an attacking spark as the end of the first half approached as he won a free-kick, though nobody could capitalise, resulting in another missed opportunity.

And Spain eventually added a second through Miguel Llorente with four minutes remaining.

England pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, as Reigan Heskey won a penalty after a foul from Nico Guilen.

Ezenwata stepped up from 12 yards and finished to give England hope in the tie, heading into the break.

Porter made an important save in the first minute of added time to deny Spain a third through Guille Fernandez.

The second half began with Heskey breaking forward and winning a foul from Nacho Perez, as the Manchester City winger looked to give England a goalscoring chance.

England made a triple substitution ten minutes into the second half, as they looked to add an equaliser, whilst also ensuring defensive stability.

Defender Godwill Kukonki, midfielder Harrison Miles and forward Jeremy Monga were the three arrivals onto the pitch, as the second half neared the 15-minute mark.

Miles looked creative after coming on, having a shot blocked in the 72nd minute, to deny an equaliser.

England’s woes were added to nine minutes from time, as Alexis Ciria netted a third for Spain to wrap up the victory.

Porter came to the rescue again for the Young Lions two minutes later, preventing a fourth Spain goal.

Heskey failed in his search for a late consolation goal as an attempt in the 87th minute was denied.

England are back in action against Croatia on Tuesday 31 March in the last of three fixtures in the first round qualifying at City Stadium in Krizevci.

England: 1 Jack Porter (Arsenal), 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 3 Landon Emenalo (Chelsea), 4 Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 5 Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), 6 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City), 7 Brad Burrowes (Aston Villa), 8 Louis Page (Leicester City), 9 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea), 10 Reggie Walsh (Chelsea), 11Reigan Heskey (Manchester City)

Substitutions: 16 Harrison Miles (Manchester City) for Emenalo 55’, 14 Godwill Kukonki (Manchester United for Simmonds 55’, 20 Jeremy Monga (Leicester City) for Burrowes 55’, 12 Wesley Okoduwa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Headley 65’, 19 Lorenz Hutchinson (Leicester City) for Walsh 80’

Substitues not used: 13 Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), 15 Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace), 17 Finlay Gorman (Manchester City),18 Benjamin Casey (Crystal Palace)

Goals: Ezenwata 45’

Head coach: Ben Futcher