England U20s 1-2 Canada U20s: Marcus Rashford draws blank on debut
Sunday 27 March 2016 19:39, UK
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford drew a blank on his England U20s debut as Canada claimed a surprise 2-1 victory at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who has exploded on to the national stage with five goals in his first eight games for United, failed to find the target, but did set up England's goal for Kasey Palmer.
Chelsea midfielder Palmer (71) reduced the deficit after fine solo goals from Canada's Kadin Chung (13) and Marco Bustos (68) had put the visitors firmly in control in Doncaster.
Rashford followed up two goals on his first-team debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League in February with a double in his Premier League bow against Arsenal.
He also scored the winner in the Manchester derby and his dream start for United prompted speculation that he could be a late contender for Roy Hodgson's senior squad for this summer's European Championships.
But in a conscious bid to take him out of the spotlight, England U21s head coach Gareth Southgate left him out of his squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw in Switzerland and Rashford instead joined up with Keith Downing's U20s.
Downing's side fell behind to a superb individual effort from Canada left-back Chung, who cut in from the left and advanced to the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a curling shot beyond goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Canada increased their lead in the second-half when Bustos fired home from the edge of the area, while Rashford was well marshalled by Canada defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguere.
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But moments later Rashford broke free of his marker down the right and cut the ball back for Palmer to side-foot home from 12 yards.
There was to be no grandstand finish however, and the 3,264-strong crowd got only a brief glimpse of Rashford's talent.
