There may be some question marks against the England’s senior team presently, but the future looks promising for the future – with the heart shown by their Under 19s side.
On Tuesday night, the Young Lions took on Germany U19s in their second Group B match of the ongoing UEFA U19 championship.
England found themselves 4-1 down at half-time and the score only worsened after the interval as their long-standing rivals extended their lead to make it 5-1.
However, a four-goal salvo in 11 minutes saw the Young Lions raw back into the match and staggeringly earn a 5-5 draw at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, Romania.
The remarkable result is the highest scoreline in the tournament’s history.
Germany, who will be kicking themselves at dropping points from this position of strength, took the lead on seven minutes when Noah Darvic slotted home after being picked out by Said Al Mala.
England U19 players celebrate after coming back from 5-1 down to equalise with Germany U19s
Jesse Derry scored England’s fifth goal with this close-range finish to earn a remarkable draw
Germany players lay crestfallen after squandering a four-goal lead to draw with England
Al Mala then doubled their lead on 31 minutes but Will Antwi’s side pulled one back four minutes later when Fulham midfielder Josh King who finished emphatically inside the penalty area.
King’s strike sprung Germany back into action though and as a deflected strike from Kjell Watjen and a header by Leopard Wurm saw them take a commanding 4-1 lead into the break.
The Germans continued the second half as they ended the first, by scoring their fifth of the match when Al Mala added another just three minutes after half-time.
However, Antwi’s side regrouped and began their stunning comeback when Manchester United’s Ethan Wheatley scored in the 52nd minute with an instinctive poacher’s finish.
Tottenham midfielder Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny reduced the deficit to two goals just three minutes later, before Nottingham Forest’s Zach Abbott scored the 2022 champions’ fourth just after the hour mark.
Crystal Palace’s Jesse Derry – son of former Eagles captain Shaun – capitalised on an error from Germany goalkeeper Konstantin Heide to see England restore parity on 63 minutes.
With momentum with England, there was even a chance for Caleb Kporha to snatch victory in stoppage time but he fired over.
The result leaves Germany bottom of the group, while England are in second spot to set up a thrilling final-day scenario against the already-qualified Netherlands as they seek a spot in the semi-finals.
Germany looked set for victory as they took a commanding lead against their old foe
Midfielder Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny reduced the deficit to two goals with this strike
England defender Zach Abbott scored their fourth goal of a wild evening in Bucharest
Caleb Kporha reacts disappointingly after missing a late on to earn England an unlikely win
The scoreline in Bucharest on Tuesday is the biggest result in the competition’s history
England face the Dutch on Friday evening in Bucharest at 6pm (BST).
There are eight teams taking part in the tournament, with the top two from two groups of four advancing to the semi-finals which take place on June 23.
The final takes place at the Rapid-Giulesti Stadium in Bucharest on June 26.