Tottenham ace Mikey Moore converted from the spot to give England U-19s a share of the spoils in their European Championship opener against Norway.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Three goals in frenetic first halfEngland dominated the ball, but Norway broke at paceMikey Moore penalty ties the game in 79th minuteFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
The game set into an entertaining and frenetic pattern from the off. The young Three Lions dominated possession, and were occasionally able to break down a steadfast low block from the Norwegians. When England gave up possession, Norway broke both accurately and at pace.
England took the lead on the 11th minute, with Kadan Young striding through the Norway half before finding fellow winger Tom Watson open at the edge of the box. The Brighton youngster's low driven effort deflected past Daniel Gjerde Sætren and into the roof of the net.
It took Norway just seven minutes to respond, as Hamburg winger Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit drove at the England defence, skipping past two defenders and ploughing past Tommy Setford at the near post.
Both teams created decent chances for the remainder of the first 45. Norway in particular were unlucky not to take the lead when Setford produced a smart save from point-blank range, and Sondre Granaas struck the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Granaas had his moment, on the strike of halftime, when he coolly volleyed home a perfectly-weighted ball from Røssing-Lelesiit.
The pace slowed in the second half, as Norway seemed more content to soak up England's pressure without pushing for a third. Snatched opportunities from Watson, and captain Moore did little to trouble Gjerde Sætren, and England failed to capitalise on a number of dead-ball opportunities.
Just as England looked to be running out of ideas, they received a lifeline. Norway failed to clear their lines, Shumaira Mhueka broke onto a loose ball on the box and was tripped by Mathias Øren. Moore blasted the spot kick home in the 79th minute.
Norway will rue a missed opportunity in the final knockings, as a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Caleb Khorpa denied Jesper Reitan-Sunde a tap-in in the 89th minute. Worringly, Moore appeared to take a heavy fall over his right ankle in the final minutes of added on time.
AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?
The ease with which Norway broke on the England defence will be a cause for concern. The Three Lions did not concede a single goal during their six qualification games for the tournament.
THE MVP
Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit: Unfortunately, a knock picked up in the first half prematurely called time on the winger's day, as he was pulled off the pitch in the 55th minute. He was clearly disappointed, and who could blame him? The Hamburg prospect had the measure of the England defence, displaying the ability to go down the line and cut in from his position on the left flank. Took his goal, and set up the second brilliantly.
THE BIG LOSER
Mathias Øren: The Norwegian centre half had a solid day at the office until giving away the penalty. It appeared the youngster lost his head following the decision, receiving a booking for dissent and getting the hook shortly thereafter.
