England 1-3 France

UEFA European U19 Championship, Final
Windsor Park, Belfast
29 July 2005

France have beaten England 3-1 in the final of the UEFA European U19 Championship after a entertaining match at Windsor Park.

England took the lead just before half-time through Lee Holmes but a stirring second-half comeback proved to be too much for Martin Hunter's side.

Yassin Moutaouakil equalised for the French ten minutes after the break and Jean Gallice's side went ahead through Abdoulaye Balde.

A brilliant goal two minutes from time from substitute Yohan Gouffran ended England's hopes and sealed a well-deserved victory for the French side.

With Vassiriki Diaby orchestrating the midfield, it was Gallice's side who dictated the pace of the play in the game's opening stages.

After just six minutes, France went close when a cross from the inside-left position deflected off Matt Fryatt though David Martin saved comfortably.

Clever play in midfield and on the French right flank nearly lead to the game's opening goal but when Diaby fired a shot at goal, Martin got down low to his right to push the ball away for a corner.

France were in the ascendancy and England's midfield were being stretched, with the French exploiting the width afforded by England's narrower formation.

Yohan Cabaye made a surging run from deep and connected with Diaby's cross only to see his effort flash wide of Martin's goal.

England tried to come out but they were struggling to get past the French backline. When they did it left the side open to the counter-attack and France nearly went ahead when Franck Dja Djedje was played in by Diaby.

Martin Cranie was alert to the danger and England were thankful for the positioning and tackling ability of their captain moments later when Balde looked to be through - the Amiens striker only denied after a sliding tackle from the centre-back.

Ten minutes short of half-time Martin was given a real scare when an inswinging free-kick from Gourcuff sailed over everyone, including England's keeper, and cannoned off the bar and away to safety.

Then, utterly against the run of play, England took the lead with a wonderful strike from Holmes. The Derby winger made a nice run in from the left, beat two players and then lobbed a delightful effort over Hugo Lloris.

Younes Kaboul unwittingly deflected Holmes’ effort but it only served to help the shot on its way as Holmes wheeled away in celebration of his sixth goal of the season.

The goal was rough justice on France, who had been the more creative team, but they were soon level when Chakouri scored eleven minutes after the break.

A quickly-taken corner from the right was played to Balde whose cross to the back post found Chakouri who rose unchallenged to finish past Martin.

England were again finding it difficult to recycle possession in midfield and only showed glimpses of their attacking potency - Ryan Smith crossing for Fryatt who headed wide.

Then Hunter's side were hit by a sucker punch when Moutaouakil crossed low from the right, the ball evaded the attentions of the England defence and Balde swept the ball inside Martin's near post.

The outstanding Diaby, so similar to Patrick Vieira in style and stature, was untouchable and he, along with the flair of Gourcuff, proved to be too strong for England.

France still had time for a final piece of magical football. Substitute Gouffran picked the ball up in the centre of the pitch, ran forward at goal and then unleashed a fierce 25-yard drive that flew beyond Martin.

England's misery was compounded when Leadbitter was rather unfortunate to be sent off by Dutch referee Pieter Venk for a second bookable offence.

England v France, European U19 Championship Final, 29 July 2005

England: David Martin - MK Dons, Tony McMahon - Middlesbrough, Matthew Mills - Southampton, Martin Cranie - Southampton (capt.), Andrew Taylor - Middlesbrough, Richard Jones - Manchester United (Ryan Jarvis - Norwich City, 79), Grant Leadbitter - Sunderland, Mark Noble - West Ham United, James Morrison - Middlesbrough (Ryan Smith - Arsenal, 66), Matthew Fryatt - Walsall (Dexter Blackstock - Southampton, 78), Lee Holmes - Derby County.
Subs not used: Philip Ifil - Tottenham Hotspur, David Wheater - Middlesbrough, John Ruddy - Everton, Laurence Wilson - Everton.

Goals: Holmes 43

France: Hugo Lloris, Yassin Moutaouakil, Vassiriki Diaby, Mohamed Chakouri, Didier Digard (Djamel Adboun, 77), Younes Kaboul (capt.), Abdoulaye Balde, Yohan Gourcuff, Yohan Cabaye, Florian Marange, Franck Dja Djedje (Yohan Gouffran, 74).
Substitutes: Geoffrey Jourdren, Cedric Cabon, Olivier Nsiambanfunu, Moussa Sow, Frederic Sammaritano.

Goals: Chakouri 56, Balde 75, Gouffran 88

Bookings: Matthew Mills, 69; Richard Jones, 78; Vassiriki Diaby, 80; Grant Leadbitter, 83, 90+1

Sendings Off: Leadbitter 90+1

Referee: Pieter Venk (Holland)

Attendance: 4,723