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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Croatia U21 1-2 England U21: Young Lions out of U21 Euros after late heartbreak

England are out of the U21 European Championships despite victory over Croatia in their final group game as the Young Lions suffered last-gasp heartbreak.

Aidy Boothroyd's side were leading 2-0 going into stoppage time - a result which would have seen them through - but a screamer from Domagoj Bradaric sent Croatia into the last eight.

England knew they needed to win by two goals and were reliant on Portugal beating Switzerland in the other group game being played simultaneously.

The Portuguese held their side of the bargain with a 3-0 win, but England ultimately paid the price for defeats in their first two group games with Boothroyd now under huge pressure to keep his job.

Ebere Eze opened the scoring in the first half, converting a dubiously-awarded penalty after Eddie Nketiah was adjudged to have been fouled.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones lashed into the bottom corner 16 minutes from time, but Bradaric's late thunderbolt sent England crashing out of the tournament.

More follows.

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