Young Blues Suffer Semi Loss

England Under-19s hit by Greek tragedy.

Everton trio Ross Barkley, Luke Garbutt and John Lundstram all featured as England Under-19s suffered European Championship heartbreak to Greece.

The Three Lions were hoping to book their place in the final of the competition but instead fell to a painful extra-time defeat in the last four.

Barkley and Lundtsram both started in the England midfield, while Garbutt entered the game midway through the second half.

With Greece reduced to 10 men for over half of the game, England dominated everything but the ‘goals scored’ column as some heroic defending from the Greeks and an inspired performance from substitute goalkeeper Sokratis Dioudis saw the game end 1-1 after 90 minutes.

The onslaught continued into extra-time, but still the Greeks hung on for dear life before taking advantage of a rare slip from England to steal victory with just minutes remaining.

Earlier England had fallen behind in the first half before seeing their opponents reduced in number as Barkley set-up Benik Afobe, only to see the Arsenal forward taken out by the keeper.

He walked but his replacement, Dioudis, saved the spot kick with his first touch.
Afobe soon found the leveller from open play, however, and momentum seemed to be with England before the drama of the final few minutes saw the Greeks booked a place in the final.