England U17s Dominate Egypt to Secure World Cup Knockout Spot

England U17s put on a commanding display as they defeated Egypt 3-0 to seal their place in the round of 32 at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar. Reigan Heskey was the star of the evening, scoring twice and spearheading the Young Lions’ attack, although he missed the chance to claim a memorable hat-trick from the penalty spot.

England U17s Take Control Early Against Egypt

England U17s began the match with intent, with Manchester City star Reigan Heskey leading the charge from the opening whistle. Heskey, building on his strong performance against Haiti, broke the deadlock with only minutes on the clock. Picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he curved a precise low shot beyond the Egyptian goalkeeper to put England in front.

Despite the setback, Egypt—who started the day with four points from their first two group matches—were quick to respond. They created several threatening chances and demanded a penalty just after the half-hour mark, as Anas Roshdy went to ground under pressure from Louis Page and Dante Headley. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee waved away the appeals, keeping England’s lead intact.

Heskey Shines as England U17s Secure Progression

Moments before halftime, controversy struck as Chizaram Ezenwata escaped a red card following a sliding tackle on Egypt’s goalkeeper, with video support again coming into play. Egypt believed they had equalized in first-half stoppage time when Omar Kamal fired home after a flurry of efforts, but the goal was disallowed for offside. England U17s reached the interval with their advantage preserved.

The second half saw England U17s under more pressure as Egypt pressed for a way back. Keeper Jack Porter was called upon to make a crucial fingertip save against a well-struck free-kick from Bela Attia, preserving the Young Lions’ slender lead.

Counter-Attacking Brilliance Seals the Win

England U17s weathered the storm and soon delivered another blow to Egyptian hopes. Lucá Williams-Barnett, superb in midfield, launched a swift counterattack, releasing Heskey in behind the defense. The Manchester City striker showed composure, slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to double England’s lead with his second goal of the game.

Minutes later, England U17s were awarded a penalty when Williams-Barnett was brought down in the area. Heskey stepped up in search of his hat-trick but saw his effort saved by Egypt’s Abdelaziz, who got down well to deny the forward. Heskey pounced on the rebound but couldn’t convert, missing the chance to write his name in the tournament’s history books.

Late Goal Wraps Up a Statement Win for England U17s

The final minutes saw England U17s remain disciplined and organized, frustrating Egypt’s desperate attempts to claw back into the match. The result was put beyond doubt in the 89th minute, as Heskey’s Manchester City teammate Harrison Miles broke down the right wing and fired past Abdelaziz at the near post to cap a 3-0 win.

England U17s’ defense, marshaled by Arsenal’s Jack Porter, proved unbreakable on the night. Porter’s crucial interventions—especially his saves from Attia’s set-pieces—were instrumental in ensuring a clean sheet and maintaining momentum heading into the knockout rounds.

Standout Performers and Key Moments

Reigan Heskey was undoubtedly the MVP, his two goals putting England U17s firmly in control and demonstrating the poise and finishing that mark him as one of the tournament’s standout stars. While his missed penalty may have denied him a hat-trick, his overall contribution was vital for the Young Lions.

On the other hand, Egypt’s Bela Attia will rue his misfortune from dead-ball situations, with Porter’s excellent goalkeeping denying him twice and preventing Egypt from gaining any foothold in the match.

England U17s March On—What’s Next?

With this victory, England U17s finish second in their group and comfortably advance to the round of 32. Their strong showing, led by the likes of Heskey and Porter, suggests they are genuine contenders as the competition heats up in Qatar.

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Opinion: Heskey’s Performance Highlights England U17s’ Depth

England U17s’ victory over Egypt was a statement of intent. Reigan Heskey’s clinical finishing and intelligent movement set the tone, while Jack Porter’s resilience in goal gave the team the confidence to withstand pressure. While Heskey will regret not sealing his hat-trick, the overall team performance was encouraging. If England U17s continue to blend attacking flair with defensive solidity, they could progress deep into the tournament and challenge for the trophy.