Claude Paris/Associated Press England came from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 in the final of the Toulon Tournament on Saturday to seal their third title in a row. Roberto Alvarado had given El Tri the early lead at the Stade Francis Turcan in Martigues, France, but Dael Fry and Kieran Dowell struck in the space of four minutes to hand England the win. The Young Lions have now won the tournament three years running following their victories over France in 2016 and the Ivory Coast last year, and seven times overall. England were caught unawares from the outset as Mexico took the lead with barely a minute on the clock. Eduardo Aguirre picked out Alvarado after a surging run down the left, and his team-mate converted with a scuffed effort that trickled in off the post. The Young Lions had plenty of joy down their left flank as they sought out an equaliser, with a pair of promising runs from Tammy Abraham. Eddie Nketiah then flashed a ball across the front of goal from the same area, but Abraham was unable to reach it. Mexico's best chance to double their lead came through Francisco Cordova, who stung the palms of Freddie Woodman from 20 yards, but two quick-fire goals saw England pull level and move ahead soon after. Fry bundled in after 32 minutes when goalkeeper Jose Hernandez dropped Jake Clarke-Salter's throw-in at his feet, and four minutes later England's threat down the left finally paid off. Video Play Button Videos you might like The lively Nketiah escaped Jorge Sanchez's attentions to fire another dangerous cross into the area, and this time Dowell was on hand to sweep home. Sports journalist Benjamin Wills was full of praise for Arsenal man Nketiah: As in the first half, Mexico flew out of the traps in the second and could have equalised within a minute, only for Aguirre to fire a tame effort at Woodman. El Tri controlled much of the possession in the second half and forced England to play on the counter, but clear-cut chances were at a premium. Abraham had the opportunity to seal the win when Dowell picked him out after Mexico lost possession in their own half, but the striker hit the post with the goal begging. It mattered little, though, as England held on to take the trophy.<doc-sep>England Under-21s came from behind to beat Mexico and secure their third successive Toulon Tournament title. After a successful summer for the England age groups in 2017, the Young Lions continued to show their ability in tournament football with a 2-1 win in Martigues. Aidy Boothroyd’s side had to battle back from a goal down to beat Scotland in the semi-final and did the same yesterday after Roberto Alvarado put Mexico in front inside 80 seconds. Dael Fry drew them level and Kieran Dowell completed the turnaround just before the interval as England made it a hat-trick of Toulon successes. The two nations shared a goalless draw before both progressing to the last four from Group A – but there were goals in the second meeting of the sides. Alvarado put Mexico ahead when he turned home Eduardo Aguirre’s cross with a scuffed finish. The Young Lions were lucky that Uriel Antuna failed to score when played through after 12 minutes, the Manchester City youngster scuffing what looked an easy chance. Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman then saved Francisco Cordova’s drive.<doc-sep>ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/Getty Images England under-21s will have to beat Mexico on Saturday if they're to win the 2018 Toulon Tournament after becoming the first team in more than a decade to feature in three consecutive finals. An Eduardo Aguirre hat-trick led Mexico to a 3-1 victory over Turkey in their semi-final outing on Wednesday, while England beat Scotland by an identical scoreline to qualify for the final at the Stade Francis Turcan. The Young Lions drew 0-0 against El Tricolor when they met in Group A, where they advanced into the semis as best-placed runners-up after finishing behind Mexico in their pool via goal difference. A little more than a week later and one of these teams will be crowned kings of the youth tournament, with Mexico looking to win a second Toulon title and England hoping to add their third in as many years (eighth overall). Read on as we preview Saturday's Toulon final, complete with live-stream schedule and discussion of who's likely to come out on top in the youth showdown. Video Play Button Videos you might like Date: Saturday, June 9 Time: 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET Venue: Stade Francis Turcan, Martigues, France Live Stream: FreeSports (UK) TV Info: FreeSports (UK) Preview England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd almost saw his men make a shock first-round exit from France, and it was a telling sign that not scoring enough goals was the reason for their scare. Mexico only scored once more than them in Group A but have carried on their scoring exploits in the knockout phase, particularly through the tournament's top scorer, Eduardo Aguirre, per FootballTalentScout: The Tampico striker, on loan from Liga MX outfit Santos Laguna, took his Toulon tally to seven after bagging a hat-trick against Turkey and will need to be kept quiet if England are to triumph. Aguirre isn't the only man England need to keep tabs on, though, as Mexican football blogger Nayib Moran lauded America prospect Diego Lainez, who just so happens to be celebrating his 18th birthday on Saturday: Saturday's final will pit contrasting styles against one another. Mexico's under-21s have scored 28 times in their last 10 games, while England have managed to net 22 in that time. The upshot is that while El Tri have kept only three clean sheets in their last 10, England have managed almost double that with five. England's youth assortment are no slouches in attack, however, and Arsenal prospect Eddie Nketiah proved as much with a brace in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Scotland. Bloggers Patrick Timmons and Jeorge Bird showed how goals tend to follow the Gunner wherever he goes and praised him after his performance against the Scots: But those were his first goals of the tournament, and while he's England's joint-top scorer alongside Tammy Abraham with two apiece, Aguirre is far ahead on seven for the competition. While the senior side has gone through its struggles in recent major tournaments, England's under-21s are enjoying one of their greatest eras. Squakwa discussed how the seniors might line up in the World Cup: There's little arguing these two are deserving finalists in France, but Mexico have looked the more adventurous outfit. England may boast a more composed average across their XI, but bank on Mexico's risk-takers to finally undo the Young Lions' hold over the Toulon Tournament come Saturday. Prediction: Mexico Win AET<doc-sep>Last updated on .From the section Football Edward Nketiah's second goal for England clinched victory against Scotland England Under-21s came from behind to beat Scotland with three second-half goals and book a Toulon Tournament final with Mexico on Saturday. Arsenal forward Edward Nketiah stole the show, providing the cross for Everton's Callum Connolly to tap home before adding two goals of his own. The first saw him beat two men and thump in a curling effort, before firing home after another weaving run. Celtic's Michael Johnston put Scotland ahead with a stunning solo goal. The 19-year-old striker dribbled past two England players before surging clear of Jonjoe Kenny and clipping a left-foot shot past England goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. Michael Johnston celebrates scoring for Scotland, but their joy was short-lived But Scotland's hopes suffered a setback five minutes into the second half with Connolly's equaliser and once Nketiah had put England ahead, the defending champions went on to win comfortably. They will target a third successive victory in the tournament in Saturday's final (17:30 BST) against Mexico, who beat Turkey 3-1 in the other semi-final. Scotland, who lost to England at the same stage a year ago, will face the Turks in the third-place play-off on Saturday, kicking off at 15:00 BST.<doc-sep>
Last updated on .From the section England Kieran Dowell was one of three Everton players in Aidy Boothroyd's starting line-up England Under-21s came from behind to beat Mexico and win their third straight Toulon Tournament in France. The Young Lions trailed to Roberto Alvarado's early goal but levelled when Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake to poke home from close range. Everton's Kieran Dowell put them ahead just before half-time after he was set-up by Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah. Chelsea's Tammy Abraham hit the post as Aidy Boothroyd's side clung on to win. It is more positive evidence of England's strength in the age groups below the senior team after they also won the Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups last year. Five of the players involved against Mexico started for Paul Simpson's side when they beat Venezuela 1-0 in South Korea just short of a year ago. They rode their luck against in temperatures approaching 30C against a side Boothroyd had warned would be "lively". Mexico were a constant threat via the tournament's top goalscorer Eduardo Aguirre, who created his side's opener, and Francisco Cordoba forced a strong save from Freddie Woodman with a powerful drive after half an hour. But England had plenty of players with Premier League experience and used that to slow down the game after the break, taking their time over free-kicks and throws as their opponents fought for a way back. It may have been a calmer finale had Abraham done better with the goal at his mercy after a good run by Dowell. Instead the reigning champions had to continue defending in the four minutes of added time, as Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury came on to help them see the game out. Skipper Lewis Cook, who has made 47 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth, was named the tournament's second best player, while Newcastle's Woodman won best goalkeeper. The best player award went to Mexico's Diego Lainez on his 18th birthday. Scotland, who England beat in their semi-final, missed out on clinching third spot in tournament after losing to Turkey 5-3 on penalties.