Outnumbered France succumb to England

England will play in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final for only the second time after two extra-time goals from Nathan Delfouneso ended the hopes of France, who finished an engrossing semi-final with eight men.

Impressive fightback
The 2005 champions France made the perfect start in Donetsk, Magaye Gueye giving them an early lead, but England – beaten by France in that final four years ago – drew level shortly before half-time thanks to Henri Lansbury's third goal in as many matches. France lost right-back Sébastien Corchia for a second yellow card with 19 minutes remaining but held on to take the tie into extra time, only for Delfouneso to put England in front with less than two minutes of the additional period played. He then added a third 13 minutes later to seal a repeat of his side's win against the same opponents at the same stage of the U17 finals two years ago. France finished with eight men following the late dismissals of Ryad Boudebouz and Abdel El Kaoutari.

Early advantage
France coach Jean Gallice made four changes from the side which defeated Spain to secure second place in Group B, yet his charges were as fluent as ever and took the lead as early as the eighth minute. Jason Steele had already denied Gueye and Emmanuel Rivière, but had little chance when Yacine Brahimi escaped the clutches of right-back Kieran Trippier and pulled a low cross back for Gueye to steer a well-placed shot inside the far post. Les Mini-Bleus looked the slicker side thereafter, Boudebouz pulling the strings in midfield.

Lansbury leveller
England refused to be cowed and could have drawn level in the 33rd minute as Joe Bennett's long free-kick reached the unmarked Matthew Briggs but the cente-back volleyed wide. Gallice's side did not heed the warning and paid the price for failing to react to another set-piece four minutes later. The defensive wall blocked Danny Drinkwater's free-kick but the ball rebounded perfectly for Lansbury, who found the corner of the net with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Delfouneso delight
Gueye almost repeated his first-half trick at the beginning of the second, slicing wide with Steele having come out of his area to head clear, although England responded in kind, Rémi Pillot producing a brilliant stop to deflect Drinkwater's shot centimetres wide and then twice denying Lansbury. The mounting pressure increased still further as Corchia's tackle on Nile Ranger led to the defender being shown a second yellow card as he was carried off on a stretcher. England were unable to turn their numerical advantage into tangible reward until the 92nd minute, but then Delfouneso tapped in after Pillot had parried Joe Mattock's shot and he dribbled through soon after to make it 3-1. There was still time, though, for El Kaoutari to receive a second caution and Boudebouz followed him off seconds later for dissent.