Everton duo Hallam Hope and John Lundstram helped England U17s through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico tonight, with a penalty shoot-out victory over Argentina enough to see the young Lions progress.Forward Hope was named in the starting eleven, although club-mate Lundstram began the match amongst the substitutes.
Amidst torrential rainfall in Pachuca, England fell behind against the run of play to a 12th minute goal from Argentine Maximiliano Padillo, who tapped in from close range after a free-kick was spilled by England 'keeper Jordan Pickford.
England managed a reply before half-time and it came from Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, who cut inside and slotted home from outside the area to deservedly draw England level.
Manager John Peacock introduced John Lundstram on 65 minutes, with the Everton youngster replacing Nick Powell in midfield. The conditions made it difficult for either side to string good passing moves together, with the late dismissal of Argentine Marcos Pinto for a badly-timed challenge the only further notable action as the game petered out to a 1-1 draw.
The tie progressed straight to the dreaded decider of the penalty shoot-out.
Sam Magri stepped up first for England and emphatically dispatched his penalty. The Argentines replied with a successful penalty of their own, before Adam Morgan restored England's lead. Argentina drew level once more, before Crewe's Adam Clayton blasted his effort over the crossbar. Jordan Pickford in the England goal produced a magnificent save to attone for Morgan's miss. Jake Caskey stepped up next and did the business to restore England's advantage.
Pickford saved well again to leave England captain Nathaniel Chalobah needing to score to put England through. He did so with aplomb and England prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out.
England will now go on to face Germany, who made light work of the USA in their round of 16 tie, in the quarter-final.
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