England stage brilliant comeback to win U17 World Cup

England fought back from 2-0 down to win the Under 17 World Cup with an emphatic 5-2 win over Spain in front of a giant 80,000-strong crowd in Kolkata.

Goals from Rhian Brewster, Morgan Gibbs-White, Phil Foden (two) and Marc Guehi gave the Young Lions a landmark win, capping a wonderful competition for Steve Cooper’s side in India.

Even when they were trailing, England looked to be the better side and that ultimately showed in the scoreline. A first half double from Barcelona’s Sergio Gomez gave Spain a 2-0 lead, but Brewster gave England a lifeline just before the break with his eighth of the tournament.

From then on, Cooper’s men took complete control of the contest. even Sessegnon was also a standout for England, showing why so many big clubs are interested in him; but each to a man Cooper’s side deserved their win. The challenge now is to fulfil that potential at the senior level of the game. There are no excuses for England now.

he Three Lions avenged their defeat to Spain in the final of the U17 Euros earlier this year, and continued a golden year for England's young footballers that included victory at the Under-20 World Cup, Under-19 Euros and the prestigious Toulon tournament.

In the space of just six months, England have won the World Cup at Under 20 and now Under 17s level. So is this a golden generation in the making? What happens next presents a real test for the England game and for the Premier League. Will these youngsters, who have shown themselves to be as good as any others found around the world, be given a chance to fulfil their potential at the top level?

There were a number of standouts for England. Foden was exceptional, as was Sessegnon, but nobody did as much damage to the Spanish defence as Hudson-Odoi. He was unstoppable down the left side, having a hand in most of the goals scored by the Young Lions. It was the Chelsea youngster who, more than anyone else, prised open the Spanish backline time and time again in the second half.

England - Anderson 5, McEachren 6, Guechi 6, Panzo 6, Foden 9, Oakley-Boothe 6, Brewster 7, Hudson-Odoi 9, Laitbeaudiere 6, Sessegnon 9, Gibbs-White 8. Subs - Gomes 5, Kirby 6, Gallagher 5.

Spain - Fernandez 6, Morey 6, Chust 5, Guillamon 7, Miranda 7, Moha 6, Blanco 6, Ferran 6, Gelabert 5, Gomez 8, Ruiz 5. Subs - Beitia 5, Diaz 5, Lara 6.

10’ GOAL! England U17 0 Spain U17 1: Spain have the lead in the opening 10 minutes of the match! The ball was played into the box from the left side, with Ruiz chesting the ball down for Gomez, who flicked home underneath Anderson.

21’ SHOULD BE 2-0! An England freekick somehow results in TWO Spanish players racing through on goal, but Moukhliss's touch is too strong and Anderson comes out to smother him

31’ GOAL! England U17 0 Spain U17 2: What a strike from Gomez and that's a massive goal for Spain! Cesar showed great composure to pick out his teammate inside the box, and Gomez made no mistake in firing home a wonderful effort.

42’ OFF THE POST! Wow, that was close to an England goal. Hudson-Odoi cuts in off the left side and curls a low shot towards goal, but his strike smashes off the inside of the far post.

44’ GOAL! England U17 1 Spain U17 2: There’s the lifeline that England badly needed! Sessesgnon beat his man to get the cross into the box and Brewster got on the end of it to power home a header. A way back into the match!

56’ GOAL! England U17 2 Spain U17 2: They've been threatening it at the start of the second half and now England have equalised! It was Sessegnon who created the goal again, crossing for Gibbs White to finish from close range.

70’ GOAL! England U17 3 Spain U17 2: Incredible! England have completed the comeback! Hudson-Odoi raced to the byline and put the chance on a plate for Foden to finish from close range. What play from the winger!

84’ GOAL! England U17 4 Spain U17 2: And that will be that! England will be world U17 champions! The freekick from Hudson-Odoi causes mayhem in the box, with Guehi finishing into the empty net. It's in no doubt now.

87’ GOAL! England U17 5 Spain 2: England are running away with it now! Foden takes down a diagonal ball and finishes with a low shot. The Young Lions have been rampant in this second half and Foden has been one of the standouts!

England joined Brazil as only the second nation to win two World Cup titles in two age groups in the same year.