French fightback clinches crown

By Andrew Haslam at Windsor Park

Second-half strikes from Mohamed Chakouri, Abdoulaye Balde and Yohan Gouffran helped France came from a goal down to defeat England and claim the UEFA European Under-19 Championship trophy for the first time.

French fightback
In front of almost 5,000 spectators in Belfast, France controlled the majority of the match, creating the better goalscoring opportunities only to fall behind to Lee Holmes's deflected strike four minutes before half-time. Mohamed Chakouri headed in Balde's cross eleven minutes into the second period to bring France level, however, before goals in the final 15 minutes from Balde and Gouffran ensured the four-time European U18 champions clinched their first U19 title.

Unchanged lineups
Both coaches kept faith with the sides that won their respective semi-finals on Tuesday, Mark Noble recovering from a back spasm to take his place in the centre of the England midfield while Andrew Taylor continued at left-back after shrugging off an injury to his right leg. Vassiriki Diaby, Yohan Cabaye and Franck Dja Djedje all started for France after missing the 1-1 draw between the side on the opening day through suspension.

France on top
Those three began as if determined to leave an impression this time round, and Diaby sent a long-range effort narrowly over in the very first minute before Dja Djedje's lay-off gave Cabaye a shooting chance. The midfield player sent in a low, skidding shot from just outside the penalty area, forcing David Martin to tip the ball past the post.

Cabaye goes close
France continued to dominate, Dja Djedje failing to connect properly with an attempted volley and Didier Digard seeing his long shot deflected wide. Yassin Moutaouakil then did exceptionally down the French right and picked out Cabaye at the near post with a low centre, but the midfield player's effort flashed across goal.

Gourcuff denied
For all their possession and pressure, France came closest to taking the lead with what would have been a fortunate goal, Yohan Gourcuff's left-wing free-kick beating Martin but striking the crossbar. Gradually, England managed to restrict the French threat, before the breakthrough finally arrived four minutes before the interval - and it was England that got it.

Defleted goal
Holmes intercepted Chakouri's pass out of defence and cut in from the left before unleashing a right-footed shot that struck the right leg of the challenging Younes Kaboul and looped over Hugo Lloris and into the net. Despite the setback, France had chances to level before the interval, Balde shooting wide from close range before Diaby almost touched in another Gourcuff free-kick.

Chakouri atonement
England allowed their opponents less time on the ball as the second half kicked off, hassling and harrying the French, who failed to repeat their quick-fire start to the first period. That proved to be misleading, however, as the equaliser arrived in the 56 minute. Balde collected a short right-wing corner, France's third in succession, and crossed to the far post, where Chakouri was waiting to nod in.

Balde brilliance
The goal reflected the direction of the match, and France finally turned their possession into goals just as extra time began to beckon. In the 75th minute, Balde broke to the near post to meet another low centre from Moutaouakil and tuck his shot past Martin's left hand.

Victory sealed
With two minutes left substitute Gouffran collected possession 25 metres from goal and unleashed a powerful strike that gave the goalkeeper no chance. England's misery was complete in added time as Grant Leadbitter was dismissed for a second bookable offence.