The Under-19s need to top their elite round qualifying group if they are to reach to finals in Wales in the summer.

Will Antwi's side lost their opening match against Serbia 2-0 on Wednesday, meaning today's result against Poland sees them go level on points with leaders Serbia and Portugal, heading into the final qualifying match against the hosts on Tuesday.

Jesse Derry and Mheuka both started in attack and the Young Lions' hopes of victory were boosted after just 11 minutes when Poland's Kamil Nowogonski was sent off following a challenge on Derry.

Derry and Mheuka both had efforts saved in the first half but despite the one-man advantage, England went into the break level.

Poland put up a real fight despite being a man down and it took until the 86th minute for Shim to score what could be a pivotal goal in the Young Lions' campaign to qualify for this summer's Under-19 Championship.

Qualification for the 2027 Under-19 Euros has already started, with the Young Lions' Under-18s needing to go through three rounds of qualifying as part of the revamped tournament.

England beat Bulgaria 4-1 on Wednesday, but today's 3-1 loss to Spain means Ben Futcher's side are second, with Bulgaria and Croatia playing this afternoon and the Young Lions' final first qualifying round match taking place on Tuesday against the latter.

Three Blues - Landon Emenalo, Reggie Walsh and Chizaram Ezenwata - started for the U19s, while another, Freddy Bernal, was among the substitutes.

The Young Lions had a disappointing start to the contest as Miguel Angel Castillo opened the scoring for Spain after just eight minutes.

Miguel Llorente doubled their advantage shortly before half-time but in the final moments of the half, Spain conceded a penalty, and Ezenwata stepped up to convert to make it 2-1 at the interval.

Emenalo made way for Harrison Miles ten minutes into the second half and Reggie Walsh was substituted on 80, less than 60 seconds before Spain made it 3-1 through Alexis Ciria.

Closer to home at St. George's Park, Chelsea duo Calvin Diakite and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen have been named in England Under-17s' starting XI to face Israel.

It is the second match of their second qualifying round for the Under-17 Euro this summer but the Young Lions are unable to qualify following their results in the first round.

We will bring you news on how the Blues pair got on later this afternoon.