Gael Kakuta and France will contest Friday's European Under 19 Championship Final. The Chelsea midfielder netted for the second time in the tournament as Croatia were beaten 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
Kakuta, behind much that has been good from an impressive French side in this tournament, found it hard to make inroads in the early stages of the match in Caen and indeed it was Croatia who took the lead after just three minutes. A well-directed free-kick was headed in by Arijan Ademi.
A good start by the newcomers to these Finals gave way to plenty of possession by France who hit the post through Gilles Sunu.
Then on 38 minutes Kakuta equalised when his own ball wide was turned back his way by an ill-judged Croatian header and he finished unerringly inside the box with his left foot. It was the first time Matej Delac had been beaten in three matches.
Now Kakuta began to show good touches but Delac wasn't tested until five minutes into the second half when the keeper who will move to Chelsea next season saved a low free-kick.
In the 77th minute he produced a very good save to keep out Alexandre Lacazette but could do nothing about substitute Cedric Bakambu's perfectly-placed 80th minute winner.
In Tuesday's other semi final, Jacob Mellis played the first 59 minutes of England's exit to Spain.
There can be few complaints from the England side who were second best for much of the game and conceded three quality goals, although Noel Blake's side scored an excellent one themselves to make it 2-1, Tottenham's John Bostock volleying in from distance.
Mellis could have headed an opener in the first minute of the 3-1 defeat but the keeper made a fine save and the Chelsea midfielder had an early shot fly over. He was replaced in the second half by Sunderland's Ryan Noble.
So there is to be no Under 19 rematch of this summer's Under 17 Final between England and Spain.
Instead host nation France take on the Spanish in a repeat of the 2008 European Under 17 Final that was contested by many of the same players that will be in action on Friday. That match was won by Spain.
Kakuta, behind much that has been good from an impressive French side in this tournament, found it hard to make inroads in the early stages of the match in Caen and indeed it was Croatia who took the lead after just three minutes. A well-directed free-kick was headed in by Arijan Ademi.
A good start by the newcomers to these Finals gave way to plenty of possession by France who hit the post through Gilles Sunu.
Then on 38 minutes Kakuta equalised when his own ball wide was turned back his way by an ill-judged Croatian header and he finished unerringly inside the box with his left foot. It was the first time Matej Delac had been beaten in three matches.
Now Kakuta began to show good touches but Delac wasn't tested until five minutes into the second half when the keeper who will move to Chelsea next season saved a low free-kick.
In the 77th minute he produced a very good save to keep out Alexandre Lacazette but could do nothing about substitute Cedric Bakambu's perfectly-placed 80th minute winner.
In Tuesday's other semi final, Jacob Mellis played the first 59 minutes of England's exit to Spain.
There can be few complaints from the England side who were second best for much of the game and conceded three quality goals, although Noel Blake's side scored an excellent one themselves to make it 2-1, Tottenham's John Bostock volleying in from distance.
Mellis could have headed an opener in the first minute of the 3-1 defeat but the keeper made a fine save and the Chelsea midfielder had an early shot fly over. He was replaced in the second half by Sunderland's Ryan Noble.
So there is to be no Under 19 rematch of this summer's Under 17 Final between England and Spain.
Instead host nation France take on the Spanish in a repeat of the 2008 European Under 17 Final that was contested by many of the same players that will be in action on Friday. That match was won by Spain.
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