Thursday 21 July 2016 16:28, UK
England's youngsters missed the chance to reach the final of the U19 European Championship after slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Italy.
A freak late own goal from Alberto Picchi (85) offered hope of forcing extra-time but Aidy Boothroyd's side were undone by the left boot of Federico Dimarco, who converted a first-half penalty and then bent a glorious free-kick into the top corner on the hour.
England had eased through the group stage with three wins from three but though they enjoyed prolonged spells of possession in Mannheim, they failed to carry enough threat where it mattered, just four of their 21 attempts at goal on target.
Chelsea's Dominic Solanke, Everton's Jonjoe Kenny and Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman were among those hoping to follow their U17 Euro success with glory in Germany but despite a third semi-final failure at this level, England's progress to the last four has at least secured their place at next year's U20 World Cup.
Kenny offered early threat down the right as the rain fell, but Izzy Brown twice failed to direct subsequent headers on target and scuffed a shot from close-range (19) after the defender had prodded into his path.
Italy, set up to frustrate as they looked to preserve the tournament's best defensive record, had carried only fleeting danger but seized on an England lapse in concentration in the 27th minute.
Chelsea defender Fiyako Tomori took a clumsy touch when a clearance was needed and fouled Andrea Favilli with his second as he scrambled to make amends, Dimarco gleefully converting the resulting spot-kick to score his third penalty of the tournament.
Giuseppe Panico might have made it two had it not been for Woodman's quick reactions (39) but England, whose wayward shooting was epitomised by Jordan Rossiter's wayward long-range effort, reached half-time looking short of ideas in the final third.
Panico, on the stretch, came close to turning in a Paolo Ghiglone cross moments after the restart, but though England attacked with belated purpose - Tammy Abraham close to diverting a ball fizzed into the box from Kenny beyond Alex Meret - Italy soon doubled their lead.
England were rightly aggrieved when Reece Oxford - struggling to get out of the way of a shot on goal - was penalised for handball, but Dimarco delivered with a dead ball again, curling into the top corner from the edge of the area (60).
Boothroyd might have feared it was not his day when he watched Nicolo Barella slice a corner back across his own goal but the Young Lions had a let-off when Andrea Favilli's apparent third was ruled out for offside, despite the Juventus youngster appearing to be level with England's defence.
Brown spurned a fine chance to spark a fightback when he found free inside the box, leaning back as he tried to find the top corner without breaking stride, but England were granted a lifeline five minutes from time when a Sheyi Ojo corner bobbled in off Picchi's shoulder.
A series of corners came to nothing with blue shirts quick to clear, and Brown made the wrong call when, time ticking, he lashed wildly from range.
