Monday 30 May 2016 07:22, UK
England U21s beat France U20s 2-1 in the final of the Toulon Tournament as the Young Lions triumphed in the competition for the first time in 22 years.
Jamie Redknapp, Sol Campbell and Robbie Fowler were among those who featured the last time England won the competition in 1994, but on Sunday Gareth Southgate's side ended the long wait to secure a fifth title since the youth tournament began 44 years ago.
Lewis Baker, who finished as the tournament's top scorer with four goals, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek fired England into a two-goal lead at half-time, before Abdou Diallo struck back late for France, but it wasn't enough as the Young Lions held on for victory.
England had scored 13 goals in four group games going into the final, and took less than eight minutes to make it 14 for the tournament as Baker headed them in front.
James Ward-Prowse, a classy presence in midfield, looked up before picking out Baker's run in behind with a lofted through ball, and the striker impressively headed it first time past the French goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
England continued to dominate their younger French opposition throughout the first half, with the likes of Duncan Watmore and Nathan Redmond threatening down either flank, and it was the latter who created their second.
The Norwich winger charged forward into French territory before seeing his through ball deflected into the path of Loftus-Cheek, and his first-time flicked touch steered the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
England came out for the second half with the intention of controlling the game and keeping command of their two-goal lead, and they did that until two minutes from time, when Diallo stole in at the near post to head home from a corner for France.
But it was too little too late for the tournament hosts, and it was Ward-Prowse who got to lift the trophy for England in France - a sight many England fans will hope to see replicated by the senior side this summer.
