England under 19s followed their under-20 counterparts’ World Cup glory earlier this summer by defeating Portugal in the final of the European Championships.
Goals from Aston Villa’s Easah Suliman and Manchester City’s Lukas Nmecha – either side of an own goal from Chelsea’s Dujon Sterling – were enough to hand the young Lions the title in Georgia.
Suliman reacted smartly to nod home the first England goal after it had rebounded off a Portuguese post.
.@AVFCOfficial's Easah Suliman followed up Mason Mount's freekick to head @England's #YoungLions ahead #U19EURO pic.twitter.com/iWPJ9hVUtU
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 15, 2017
Six minutes later, Sterling badly sliced an attempted clearance into his own goal, drawing Portugal level.
Portugal level almost immediately against @England's #YoungLions with a unfortunate own goal from Dujon Sterling #U19EURO pic.twitter.com/WHElyxFDjQ
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 15, 2017
Until Nmecha slotted home what proved to be the winner 12 minutes from time.
GOAL! @England's #YoungLions take the lead again as @ManCity's Lukas Nmecha cooly finishes 😎 #U19EURO pic.twitter.com/0I32kjzQuD
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 15, 2017
Things weren’t exactly plain sailing for Keith Downing’s men, who had to play out the game’s final minutes with ten men following a second yellow card for Fulham’s Tayo Edun.
As you can probably imagine, there was a mixture of relief and celebration as the final whistle sounded.
.@England's #YoungLions are European Champions! #U19EURO 🏆🦁 pic.twitter.com/e3aEP3Trf2
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 15, 2017
As well as this and the under-20 World Cup victory, England’s youngsters have also won the Toulon Tournament this summer.
Their under-21 side were also unfortunate not to reach the final of their own European Championship in Poland, bowing out eventually to Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.
Dare we say it, England fans, but the future’s looking bright.
