Turkey pip England to World Cup spot

Turkey secured third place in UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B and a FIFA U-17 World Cup berth after a late goal from Furkan Şeker gave them a narrow victory over England, who finished bottom of the section.

Late strike
There was not much to choose between the teams at a blustery Volkspark-Stadion in Gotha. However, just when it seemed the game would drift towards a stalemate, Furkan struck the decisive blow from close range in the 74th minute, earning Turkey a victory which lifts them above their opponents into third.

Turkey possession
England started positively, Lateef Elford-Alliyu going close in the sixth minute when his deep cross nearly caught out Deniz Mehmet, who did well to paw it away. Louis Laing then flicked on a free-kick and the Turkey goalkeeper was called into action again, saving well at the feet of Elford-Alliyu. However, Turkey soon found their stride and began to dominate possession. Muhammet Demir held up the ball well in the penalty box and laid it off for Engin Bekdemir to drive in a shot which was blocked.

Movement
The movement of Muhammet and Gökhan Töre was causing England problems, while Ömer Ali Şahiner soon broke through but goalkeeper Samuel Johnstone got down to deny him. The second period started with Turkey on the front foot and Ömer fired in a cross-shot which was palmed to safety by Johnstone. In the 55th minute, Muhammet latched on to a long pass and lifted the ball over the England No1 only to see centre-back Laing clear off the line; almost immediately, Benik Afobe burst clear at the other end in identical fashion but had his shot easily stopped by Deniz.

Winner
Both sides were showing increasing signs of urgency and Afobe went close again but Turkey were posing more of a threat and took the lead with six minutes remaining. Barış Yardımcı, who had only come on 60 seconds beforehand, crossed from the left and Furkan slid the ball in from close range. England were shell-shocked and struggled to mount a meaningful attack as Turkey held on for the win and the group's final World Cup qualifying berth.