France 5-3 England U21s: What a game, an 8 goal thriller, 40 shots, 17 on target, woodwork 3 times, missed penalty, and a red card.
Fair to say this had everything, a high-octane, end-to-end affair the Young Lions hit the woodwork three times, adding to the drama, while Harvey Elliott missed a penalty that could’ve shifted the momentum.
A red card to Omari Hutchinson, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes as a substitute, further spiced things up for England.
On the French side, Hugo Ekitike was the standout with a hat-trick, proving his worth, while Rayan Cherki dazzled with a goal and two assists.
Quentin Merlin also found the net, and Wilson Odobert contributed with an assist, highlighting France’s attacking flair.
For England, James McAtee opened the scoring early, Harvey Elliott pulled one back after France took a commanding lead, and Liam Delap added a third, but defensive lapses – high lines getting exploited on the counter – ultimately cost them. Jaden Philogene also played a role with an assist.
England: 1. James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), 2. Rico Lewis (Manchester City), 5. Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), 7. Jaden Philogene (Ipswich Town), 8. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), 9. Liam Delap (Ipswich Town), 10. James McAtee (Manchester City), 15. CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), 16. Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), 19. Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), 20. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Substitutes: 3. Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse) for Taylor Harwood-Bellis 62’, 4. Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) for Lewis 73, 23. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) for Anderson 73, 12. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion) for Scott 73, 17. Sam Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough, on loan from Aston Villa) for Philogene 73, 11. Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town) for Delap 78, 6, Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) for Wharton 78, 14. Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur) for Egan-Riley 78, 24. Ronnie Edwards (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Southampton) for Elliott 78, Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) for McAtee 89
Substitutes not used: 13. Tommy Simkin (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), 21. 22. Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from Chelsea),
Goals: McAtee 2’, Elliott 37’, Delap 61’
“It’s something that we need to look at, obviously – to concede five goals, and not great goals either,” Lee Carsley said.
“I don’t think it would have had any benefit coming over here and just playing the way that we always do.
“This is our European Championship preparation. It was important that we tried something different.
“We have to experiment. We have to try something and we’re trying it against a top team as well. It’s a good test for the players.
“We always want to play with a punch. We want to score goals.”
Twitter users reacted to France 5-3 England U21s: with 40 shots, 17 on target, woodwork 3 times, missed penalty, red card…
@CornHoleDavis: I’ve just watched the highlights from France U21 v England U21, does nobody know how to defend anymore? Harwood-Bellis was all over the place, defending space rather than the striker.
@JerryJezza1: France u21 vs england u21 way more entertaining
@CarlyOnYouSpurs: oh dear, just not the england u21 keepers day
@KadeemGutzmore:
Watching the wrong England game.
U21 match vs France is for the real football fans
@HCfootball01: 5-3 (Cherki) I actually feel sorry for Beadle I’ll be honest, he’s looked shaky all night and it’s another mistake, it’s been an awful night for him unfortunately. Shouldn’t be England U21 number 1, not his fault he’s been put in, but he’s really really struggled tonight against top players.
@Timson_88: I fear England U21’s vs France U21’s will be a better watch than England vs Albania
@Alseywowsey: Crazy from the England u21 manager 5 subs done losing 5-3 and still nwaneri sitting on the bench. He is the best player in that squad but doesn’t get a kick? Crazy
@Amit_AFC: England u21 vs France u21 squads are a joke. Next Euro final will be England V France. Mark this!
@LeroyMo00397033: felt like I wasted my time watching the England game should have watched the U21’s instead
@Abovehall: Constant shouts for these England u21 players to be added to the senior team. When in reality they just ain’t good enough
@jkjamo: I watched the England U21’s last night. I’d buy both Delap and Etikite to replace Darwin and Jota 100% in a heartbeat and have some money left over to go towards the kitty. Just make sure the LW is Quality and keep Salah! #lfc
Well I know which game I enjoyed more tonight.
France v England U21 had the lot!
Missed penalty, great saves, awful defending 😂, hit the bar, hit the post.Super intensity throughout. Two good teams going at it 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/9ca6FZmRqi— Sarah Holloway (@sarahfinn8) March 21, 2025
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