England Triumphs Over South Korea in Youth Tournament Showdown

In a tense opening minute, England faced an early scare when Manchester City’s Dante Headley was dispossessed by Kim Ji-sung, who unleashed a shot that struck the roof of the net. However, relief washed over the English side as referee Abdou Abdel Mefire awarded a foul for the push.

The Young Lions enjoyed significant possession in the early stages but had to wait until the 21st minute to challenge South Korean keeper Park Do-Hun. Tottenham’s Luca Williams-Barnett delivered a powerful drive from the edge of the box, but it was expertly saved by the goalkeeper.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute through a compelling run down the right by England captain Seth Ridgeon. His pass inadvertently found the net off the boot of Jung Hui-seop, resulting in an own goal that put England ahead. They extended their lead just six minutes later when City’s Heskey headed in a brilliant cross from Aston Villa’s Bradley Burrowes.

In the second half, England created several opportunities to increase their lead. Chelsea’s Chizaram Ezenwata missed a clear chance from inside the box, and Williams-Barnett almost scored with an audacious long-range effort that narrowly missed the target. The Young Lions are now set to face either Austria or Tunisia in the next round.

Although Williams-Barnett did not score, his influence on the match was undeniable. He demonstrated exceptional work rate, contributing defensively and exhibiting excellent skill around the opposition box. The Tottenham midfielder, who is enjoying a breakthrough season, made his senior debut in September 2025, becoming the youngest player to represent the club in the Carabao Cup and the 900th player in its history. He also recently signed his first professional contract.

Jung’s blunder for South Korea was unfortunate, as he struggled to block a pass effectively. In an attempt to clear the danger, he stumbled and inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, giving England the lead. It was a shame to see such a significant error from a young player on a prominent stage.