Match ends, England U21 1, France U21 2.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored an own goal deep into injury time to hand France a 2-1 victory over England in the opening game of their European Under-21 Championship campaign.
Phil Foden had put England ahead in the second half after Dean Henderson had earlier saved Moussa Dembele's penalty.
Houssem Aouar then missed a second penalty after Hamza Choudhury was sent off for a rash challenge in the box.
Jonathan Ikone equalised late on before Wan-Bissaka put into his own net.
"The sending-off ultimately gave us our biggest problem," manager Aidy Boothroyd told Sky Sports. "As brave and battle-hardened as the team are, it was just too much to take.
"I've had a few last-minute wins in my time, and a few last-minute losses, but that was as tough as I've ever taken and I think the players will feel it more than most.
"After all the drama I think 1-1 would have been fair, but football's not fair, is it? I think some of the football was outstanding, and Foden's goal was a gem."
England dominated the opening moments and could have gone in front on 15 minutes when Ryan Sessegnon's cross was deflected onto the post by Ibrahima Konate before Dominic Solanke's sliding effort drifted just wide.
But it was goalkeeper Henderson who made the first telling contribution for the Young Lions as he kept out Dembele's spot-kick with a good diving save to his left, after England captain Jake Clarke-Salter was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
Both sides impressed in a breathless first half put neither could find a goal and it took a moment of magic from Manchester City's Foden early in the second half to break the deadlock.
The 19-year-old weaved through the French defence before applying a precise finish from just inside the area to hand England the lead - with what proved to be his side's only shot on target.
But France grew in confidence as the game went on and they soon had another chance from the spot when, after an ill-timed lunge on Jonathan Bamba in the box, France were awarded another penalty and Choudhury was sent off after the referee consulted VAR.
From then on France dominated and they could have scored well before the 89th minute had it not been for an inspired performance from Henderson and some excellent last ditch defending.
But Lille forward Ikone eventually found a breakthrough as he drove infield and shot low past Henderson.
And it was then a cruel end for England and Wan-Bissaka, who looked shaky throughout, as he miscued a clearance from a corner into his own net in the fifth minute of added time.
What next for England?
England boss Boothroyd said his side "could not afford to slip up" coming into opener in Cesena but it was their own sloppy errors which cost them.
First, Clarke-Salter's high arm gave referee Srdjan Jovanovic little choice in awarding France's first spot-kick.
And there was no denying Choudhury's lunge on Bamba was both a red card and a penalty.
But they were sloppy in possession for large periods with Wan-Bissaka, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, one of the main offenders.
Furthermore, France seemingly carved through their backline at will and Henderson did particularly well to deny Dembele in the first half, with the Lyon striker bearing down on goal.
So there is no doubt Boothroyd will be looking for a much-improved performance in his side's next two games.
England now trail in Group C after France and Romania beat Croatia in their opening games and Boothroyd's side face an uphill battle to progress.
Realistically, they need to win their next two games against Romania on Friday and then Croatia on Monday, as only the group winner automatically qualifies for the semi-finals, as well as the best-placed runner-up.
Line-ups
England U21
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Henderson
- 2Wan-BissakaBooked at 88mins
- 5Tomori
- 4Clarke-Salter
- 3Dasilva
- 8MaddisonBooked at 47mins
- 16ChoudhuryBooked at 63mins
- 10Foden
- 11R SessegnonSubstituted forCalvert-Lewinat 75'minutes
- 9SolankeSubstituted forMountat 71'minutes
- 7GraySubstituted forAbrahamat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Dowell
- 12Kenny
- 13Gunn
- 14Kelly
- 15Konsa
- 17Barnes
- 18Mount
- 19Calvert-Lewin
- 20Gibbs-White
- 21Nelson
- 22Woodman
- 23Abraham
France U21
Formation 4-5-1
- 23Bernardoni
- 13Dagba
- 4Konaté
- 5Upamecano
- 3Ballo-Toure
- 12Ikone
- 22Reine-Adélaïde
- 6TousartSubstituted forMatetaat 73'minutes
- 8AouarSubstituted forThuramat 82'minutes
- 14BambaSubstituted forNtchamat 66'minutes
- 9DembeleBooked at 77mins
Substitutes
- 1Larsonneur
- 2Amian
- 7Del Castillo
- 10Guendouzi
- 11Mateta
- 15Sarr
- 16Prevot
- 17Niakhaté
- 18Sissoko
- 19Caci
- 20Thuram
- 21Ntcham
- Referee:
- Srdjan Jovanovic
- Attendance:
- 11,288
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away18
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away7
- Corners
- Home4
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, England U21 1, France U21 2.
Goal!
Own Goal by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, England U21. England U21 1, France U21 2.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jean-Philippe Mateta (France U21) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Dayot Upamecano with a headed pass.
Post update
Corner, France U21. Conceded by Jake Clarke-Salter.
Post update
Corner, France U21. Conceded by Jake Clarke-Salter.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (France U21) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcus Thuram.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Phil Foden (England U21).
Goal!
Goal! England U21 1, France U21 1. Jonathan Ikone (France U21) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jeff Reine-Adélaïde.
Booking
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (England U21) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt saved. Dayot Upamecano (France U21) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (France U21) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marcus Thuram (France U21) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Moussa Dembele.
Post update
Attempt saved. Olivier Ntcham (France U21) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcus Thuram.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Fode Ballo-Toure (France U21) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcus Thuram.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Moussa Dembele (France U21) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeff Reine-Adélaïde.
Post update
Attempt missed. Olivier Ntcham (France U21) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Marcus Thuram following a corner.
Substitution
Substitution, France U21. Marcus Thuram replaces Houssem Aouar.
Post update
Corner, France U21. Conceded by Dean Henderson.
Comments
Join the conversation
Then again - probably could search all day for it without joy. Appears only the WWC is worthy of showing on the Beeb.
For gods sake Bbc shoe the licence payer some decent live sport. The u21 euros are well worthy of televising. It must be sad day when can’t even afford rights for this.
Like Pearce before them, Boothroyd and Carsley are not good enough to coach a Sunday league pub team never mind the nation’s U21s
Substitutions were baffling
England staff handed the French the game – pathetic – lions led by donkeys again.
And they wonder why there are not more English managers in the EPL!!!!
The reason people aren't happy your pushing WWC all day long is not because it's women, but because the quality is terrible.
An equivalent quality male team wouldn't even get a story on your website let alone TV coverage.
Stop being so PC and just show us decent quality sport!!!
Awful from Choudhury, jumping in 2-footed in the penalty box, broke the player's ankle. And under no pressure, AWB shanking into his own net.
Worst of all, why the FA have given Boothroyd a 2yr extension before a tournament. Down to 10 men, and he brings on 2 strikers!
Great effort in the build-up, telling the world we're one of the four favourites etc. etc.
Just a pity Hoofroyd's still in charge
England are specialists in failure. under 21’s. It’s time to stop overh English players.good as you think they are or the media makhem out overrated, overhyped.
I don't think you are very bright, is that why they are U21 Toulon champions 3 times? U17 World cup winners? U19 champ winners, U20 Euro winners. Before talking rubbish, think before you write complete tosh..
From the casual racism to the ingrained club hatred. No wonder your young players look utterly terrified. And remember that, they are just young lads.
Appalling.
The FA refuse to live in a world of modern sophisticated coaches. This is the organisation that hired the pathetic Sam Allardyce after all, getting merely lucky with Southgate.
Don’t suppose they lost any sleep over the result
Kiss the badge if the agent has a camera
Joe Public getting fed up with the charade
After the penalty at the CL final,it was explained time and time again,that handball does not have to be deliberate anymore.
If the ball strikes your arm,when it's in an "unnatural position" it's handball.
France's penalty,commentator "thats not handball,he's not even looking at the ball"
And ?