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21 May 2018
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2016, England put aside the rivalry (16/16)
Ahead of the 46th edition of the Toulon Tournament, which will be held from 26th May to 9th June, we’ve delved into the archives to relive some of the most memorable moments in the tournament history. Every Tuesday and Friday, we look back at the most thrilling facts provided by the competition. Today, throwback to 2016 when the Young Three Lions stole the show.
An attacking demonstration. This is what offered the England national team during this 44th edition of the Toulon Tournament. At the heart of spring 2016, the Gareth Southgate’s men (today heading the senior English national team) outperform their opponents. Drawn in the group B with Portugal, Paraguay, Japan and Guinea, England finish first of their group. Four games, four victories. Thirteen goals scored for only one conceded. Along this « healthy walk », English players produced two memorable performances. One against Guinea (7-1), the other against Paraguay (4-0).
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For the final, England are facing France. The young French, the « Bleuets », first of the group A composed of Czech Republic, Mali, Mexico and Bulgaria are also astonishing during the competition. Twleve points taken on twelve possible. But against the Englishmen, the competition was too high. Impressive from the beginning to the end of the competition, the team led by a Ruben Loftus-Cheek in fire mastered the confrontation. Under a heavy rain , the Three Lions beat the « Tricolores » 2-1. After taking an early lead thanks to Lewis Baker (8’), the English players finish the work thank to Ruben Loftus-Cheek just before the end of the first half (39’). The Patrick Gonfalone’s men reduce the score two minutes before the end of the match (88’) by the center back Abdou Diallo but without any consequences for the Three Lions.
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A forward line in fire and youngsters knocking on national first team
To win their fifth title, The Young Lions have counted on a attacking line of high quality. Led by Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea, on loan to Crystal Palace), awarded best player of the tournament and Lewis Baker (Chelsea, on loan to Middlesbrough), the Gareth Southgate players finish with the best attack of the competition with 15 goals in 5 games.
Like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, the midfielders from Southampton Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse as well as the Everton keeper Jordan Pickford earned at least one cap each with the first national team. With no international titles since World Cup 1966, England’s renewal may happen with this amazing generation of players.
Azir Said Mohamed Cheik
READ ALSO :
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1975, the Argentina of Daniel Passarella clinched the title (1/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1982, the emergence of the Koeman brothers (2/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1983, an epic final between Argentina and Brazil (3/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : when Jean-Pierre Papin left his mark on the Toulon Tournament’s history (4/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1987, when Hristo Stoichkov helped Bulgaria to reach the final (5/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1991, the Alan Shearer's legendary display (6/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1995-1996, when David Beckham was making his first steps in the tournament (7/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1997, a French golden generation led by Henry, Trezeguet and Anelka (8/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2003, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Mascherano faced each other for the first time (9/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2007, China defied the odds by reaching the final (10/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2008, the Chile of Marcelo Bielsa stole the show (11/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2010, Ivory Coast became the first African nation to clinch the title (12/16)
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 2011, James Rodriguez fired Colombia to the title (13/16)
