Max Dowman and Jack Porter star in England's opening match in U17 Euro
Arsenal starlets Max Dowman and Jack Porter starred in England’s 1-1 draw with Belgium in their opening fixture at the U17 European championship on Tuesday.
Dowman nearly gave England the lead before the second minute. He received a pass from Ryan McAidoo and rounded up goalkeeper Lucca Mounganga, but a goal-line clearance denied him from scoring.
Nathan De Cat also came close to grabbing the lead for Belgium, smashing a shot wide of the post from 20 yards.
England opened the scoring in the 12th minute through forward Alejandro Rodriguez who tucked the ball into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from midfielder Seth Ridgeon.
Dowman almost set up the Young Lions’ second of the game, creating a goalscoring opportunity for forward Rio Ngumoha, but the Liverpool youngster dragged his effort wide.
De Cat called Porter into action with a looping header, but the Arsenal goalkeeper saved his effort before Kaden Braithwaite denied him from aiming at goal again.
Four minutes before the break, McAidoo showed good footwork to create an opening for himself, only to see his effort go wide.
Four minutes after the restart, Porter was beaten by Noah Fernandez with a spectacular free-kick to restore parity for Belgium.
Substitute Reigan Heskey almost restored the Young Lions’s lead shortly after he came on, but his strike drifted wide of goal.
Bradley Burrowes made two defensive interventions on the goal-line to prevent Jessi Da Silva from giving Belgium the lead.
Porter was forced to make a late save to prevent Lucca Darcon from snatching the maximum points from Belgium.
England will be back in action on Friday when they face Italy, who sit atop the group standings after beating Czech Republic in their opening game.
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