Evening Standard
·22 November 2023
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·22 November 2023
AP
England's Under-17 World Cup run ended in shock fashion on Wednesday with a quarter-final defeat to Uzbekistan.
The Young Lions went behind in the fourth minute through Amirbek Saidov, who nodded into an empty net after Lazizbek Mairzaev's attempt was saved.
England dominated possession throughout and soon equalised through Manchester City's Joel Ndala, who ran onto a fine throughball from Sunderland's Chris Rigg and slotted into the bottom corner.
Ndala was busy throughout and almost laid on another goal for City team-mate Matty Warhurst, but the striker was denied from close range as half-time approached.
Southampton's Samuel Amo-Ameyaw was then thwarted after cutting inside and having a shot as England ramped up the pressure.
Uzbekistan's players celebrate their win over England in their U-17 World Cup
AP
But Uzbekistan captain Lazizbek Mairzaev would deny England by firing home a fine free kick from 20 yards in a rare chance for his side.
Ndala went closest to forcing extra time when he hit the crossbar from 18 yards, but it was not to be.