Goals from Ian Poveda-Ocampo and Marc Guehi were not enough, as England twice came from behind to draw with Denmark in their final U19 EURO elite round qualifier at St. George’s Park.
The Young Lions went into the Sir Bobby Charlton Pitch clash knowing they needed victory and for Czech Republic to avoid defeat against Greece in the group’s other game to secure their place at the U19 Euro finals in Armenia.
And boss Keith Downing made six changes to the side which suffered a 2-1 defeat to Greece on Saturday in a bid to get the win his side needed.
Defences were on top in the cagey opening stages, with clear-cut chances few and far between.
After 20 minutes, the Danes fashioned their first opening with England stopper Josef Bursik, making his third start in as many matches on his maiden U19 call-up, well placed to gather Mikkel Damsgaard’s header.
But England grew into the contest and went agonisingly close to netting as Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was unfortunate to see his effort trickle past the post as Downing’s men struggled to find a way past a stubborn and organised Denmark backline.
Their resilience was rewarded as they took the lead on the stroke of half time, with Nicolas Madsen finishing emphatically with a low drive.
The Young Lions knew they needed at least two goals and were on the front foot from the off as the second half got underway.
And while the first half lacked opportunities, the second certainly made up for it with three goals in ten minutes.
Manchester City duo Felix Nmecha and Poveda were introduced at the break and made an instant impact.
The latter levelled the scores just after the hour-mark and immediately ushered his team-mates back to the centre-circle.
With their tails up, England continued to pile forward and only organised defending from their opponents prevented them from taking the lead.
However, Denmark regained the advantage against the run of play as the recently-introduced Viktor Jansen’s clipped shot beat Josef Bursik after good play down the left flank.
To their credit, the Young Lions responded immediately, defender Marc Guehi firing home from close range.
And Downing’s side continued to threaten as they searched for the goal they so craved.
Poveda was once again in the thick of the action but unable to connect with a low ball in before Steven Sessegnon’s cross was well held.
England’s pressure saw them win a late free-kick wide on the right hand side and when Conor Gallagher’s header was met by Danny Loader – his strike agonisingly crashed back off the woodwork.
It wasn’t to be though, and the result, combined with Czech Republic’s 3-1 win in Loughborough means the latter progress to the finals in July.
England U19s: 1 Josef Bursik (AFC Telford United, loan from Stoke City), 2 Max Aarons (Norwich City), 3 Steven Sessegnon (Fulham), 5 Marc Guehi (Chelsea), 6 Jonathan Panzo (Monaco) (c), 8 Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), 9 Danny Loader (Reading), 11 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), 14 George McEachran (Chelsea), 16 Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea), 18 Rekeem Harper (West Bromwich Albion)
Substitutes: 7 Ian Poveda-Ocampo (Manchester City) replaced Aarons 46, 17 Felix Nmecha (Manchester City) replaced Gibbs-White 46, 10 Angel Gomes (Manchester United) replaced Harper 74, 4 Conor Gallagher replaced Saka 74, 12 Stephen Walker (MK Dons, loan from Middlesbrough) replaced McEachran 87
Substitutes not used: 22 Tom McGill (Basingstoke Town loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), 15 Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion), 19 Lewis Gibson (Everton), 20 Arvin Appiah (Nottingham Forest).
Head coach: Keith Downing
Goals: Ian Poveda 63, 5 Marc Guehi 73
