England Under-19s were forced to come from behind to claim a nail-biting victory over Israel U19s and win the 2022 European Championship.
Israel was by far the better team throughout the first half as Ian Foster’s Young Lions struggled to get a foothold on the ball in the face of their compact, crowded midfield.
Gnawing fouls constantly brought play to a standstill as England were let down by their lack of control and technique in tight spaces.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv forward Oscar Gloukh broke the deadlock after 39 minutes with a fine counter-attack that saw him dance through two challenges before firing past Matthew Cox.
In response, England struggled to create anything until halftime with just a haphazard flap on a deep cross from Tomer Tzarfati, giving Dane Scarlett a shot at goal, only for his quick turn-and-shoot to be knocked down.
After the break, the Young Lions improved to at least match their underdog opponents and Callum Doyle hit the leveler with calm control and finished after a deep corner was reversed in front of goal.
Another reasonable opening for Scarlett was begging before Israel stepped up their game, the ever-dangerous Tai Abed forcing a flying block to refuse his attempt with 15 minutes left.
Carney Chukwuemeka knocked out the post 18 yards out when the game erupted late into an end-to-end dust-up, with substitute Aaron Ramsey failing to convert after a fine breakaway run from Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah.
The rough finish did not yield a winner and extra time beckoned. Chukwuemeka and Ramsey kept the bright sparks for England, although Israel almost again led through Nehorai Ifrah, whose cross rolled away from the goal from a tight corner before desperately defending cleared the threat.
It was no surprise that Chukwuemeka showed up to score the winner, after a lovely ball from captain Harvey Vale it was his beam across the line that put England ahead for the first time in 107 minutes.
Israel wasn’t out for the count when Gloukh flew a slashed volley to the goal that required Doyle to be taken off the line, before substitute Liam Delap’s impeccable run and finish triggered a rebound for Ramsey to hit home and seal the title. .