Published 11 November 2026 4 min read
Men's U19
Report: Slovenia 1-4 England MU19s
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Young Lions top group A4 with dominant victory in UEFA U19 EURO second round qualifier
England men’s under-19s secured a 4-1 victory against Slovenia in the opening game of their UEFA U19 EURO 2027 campaign in Lindabrunn.
Ben Futcher’s side secured maximum points in the first of their three games, which form the second qualifying stage.
And it was England on the front foot early on, with 18-year-old Lucá Williams-Barnett causing an early attacking threat for the Young Lions- drawing three fouls within the opening 15 minutes.
The visitors found a breakthrough with ten minutes of the first half remaining, after Chizaram Ezenwata linked up with Reigan Heskey, who found the net to give his side the advantage.
Slovenia responded quickly and levelled things up just four minutes later, with Florijan Meznar finding the net to equalise before half time.
Williams-Barnett looked to find the net to give England the advantage before the half-time whistle, but was denied by Slovenia goalkeeper Tilen Golic.
It only took England four minutes to regain their lead in the second half, with Slovenia defender Blaz Kovac putting the ball in his own net as the Young Lions looked to take control in the tie.
And just two minutes later, England were awarded a penalty by referee Ante Culina after Urban Horvat fouled Ryan McAidoo inside the box. But the spot-kick was missed by Ezenwata, after the striker hit the post with his effort.
Ben Futcher’s side secured maximum points in the first of their three games, which form the second qualifying stage.
And it was England on the front foot early on, with 18-year-old Lucá Williams-Barnett causing an early attacking threat for the Young Lions- drawing three fouls within the opening 15 minutes.
The visitors found a breakthrough with ten minutes of the first half remaining, after Chizaram Ezenwata linked up with Reigan Heskey, who found the net to give his side the advantage.
Slovenia responded quickly and levelled things up just four minutes later, with Florijan Meznar finding the net to equalise before half time.
Williams-Barnett looked to find the net to give England the advantage before the half-time whistle, but was denied by Slovenia goalkeeper Tilen Golic.
It only took England four minutes to regain their lead in the second half, with Slovenia defender Blaz Kovac putting the ball in his own net as the Young Lions looked to take control in the tie.
And just two minutes later, England were awarded a penalty by referee Ante Culina after Urban Horvat fouled Ryan McAidoo inside the box. But the spot-kick was missed by Ezenwata, after the striker hit the post with his effort.
A second chance to extend their lead from the penalty spot was presented with just over 20 minutes remaining, this time with Heskey on the receiving end of a foul.
And much to England’s frustrations, Williams-Barnett also failed to put away his penalty as Golic was called into action to save the chipped effort to keep England’s advantage at one.
But England didn’t have to wait long for another chance at goal, with substitute Harry Howell making an immediate impact just six minutes after his introduction to extend the lead.
The goals didn’t stop there, with Heskey doubling his tally after receiving a pass from Reggie Walsh to give England a fourth goal.
Futcher’s side are next in action on Saturday 14 November (12pm GMT), when they return to the Sportschule Lindabrunn to face Belarus, before they take on group hosts Austria on Tuesday 17 November (1pm GMT).
England: 13 Dylan Moody (Southampton), 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 4 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City) (c), 5 Marli Salmon (Arsenal), 6 Louis Page (Leicester City), 7 Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City), 8 Reggie Walsh (Wigan Athletic, loan from Chelsea), 9 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea), 10 Lucá Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur), 11 Reigan Heskey (1. FC Köln), 15 Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace).
Substitutes: 20 Harry Howell (Leicester City, loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) for Ryan McAidoo 72’, 18 William Wright (Liverpool) for Chizaram Ezenwata 79’, 16 Harrison Miles (Manchester City) for Williams-Barnett 80’, 17 Dexter Oliver (Manchester City) for Reggie Walsh 87’, 19 Tynan Thompson (Manchester United) for Reigan Heskey 87’.
Substitutes not used: 1 Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), 3 Landon Emenalo (Celtic, loan from Chelsea), 12 Yuel Helafu (Manchester United), 14 Albert Mills (Manchester United).
Head coach: Ben Futcher
Goals: Heskey 34’ 85’, Kovac (og) 49’, Howell 78’.
And much to England’s frustrations, Williams-Barnett also failed to put away his penalty as Golic was called into action to save the chipped effort to keep England’s advantage at one.
But England didn’t have to wait long for another chance at goal, with substitute Harry Howell making an immediate impact just six minutes after his introduction to extend the lead.
The goals didn’t stop there, with Heskey doubling his tally after receiving a pass from Reggie Walsh to give England a fourth goal.
Futcher’s side are next in action on Saturday 14 November (12pm GMT), when they return to the Sportschule Lindabrunn to face Belarus, before they take on group hosts Austria on Tuesday 17 November (1pm GMT).
England: 13 Dylan Moody (Southampton), 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 4 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City) (c), 5 Marli Salmon (Arsenal), 6 Louis Page (Leicester City), 7 Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City), 8 Reggie Walsh (Wigan Athletic, loan from Chelsea), 9 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea), 10 Lucá Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur), 11 Reigan Heskey (1. FC Köln), 15 Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace).
Substitutes: 20 Harry Howell (Leicester City, loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) for Ryan McAidoo 72’, 18 William Wright (Liverpool) for Chizaram Ezenwata 79’, 16 Harrison Miles (Manchester City) for Williams-Barnett 80’, 17 Dexter Oliver (Manchester City) for Reggie Walsh 87’, 19 Tynan Thompson (Manchester United) for Reigan Heskey 87’.
Substitutes not used: 1 Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), 3 Landon Emenalo (Celtic, loan from Chelsea), 12 Yuel Helafu (Manchester United), 14 Albert Mills (Manchester United).
Head coach: Ben Futcher
Goals: Heskey 34’ 85’, Kovac (og) 49’, Howell 78’.
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