France U21s 3-2 England U21s: Gareth Southgate's side beaten

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Gareth SouthgateImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Southgate's team had not been beaten since they lost to Israel last year

England Under-21s squandered a two-goal lead as their 11-game winning run was ended with a 3-2 defeat by France.

Gareth Southgate's side led when Harry Kane lifted a clever finish past home keeper Alphonse Areola, then tapped in a second from Tom Ince's cross-shot.

But Arsenal's Yaya Sanogo scored two tap-ins for France to level by half-time and substitute Kingsley Coman struck a winner into the top corner.

Danny Ings headed wide as England suffered a first defeat in over a year.

That previous defeat was a 1-0 loss to Israel at the European Under-21 Championships in 2013, and Southgate now only has two matches to work out his best line-up before taking part in the same competition next June.

He opted to shuffle his pack for this latest test at Stade Francis-Le Ble in Brittany, making five changes from the 3-1 win over Portugal on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Harry Kane's two goals mean the Spurs man has 10 in 10 games for club and country

It would prove costly as France, with Marseille youngster Florian Thauvin influential in midfield, looked as impressive as they had in European Championship qualifying - prior to their surprise play-off defeat by Sweden.

Spurs forward Kane filled in ably for top scorer in qualifying Saido Berahino, elevated to the senior squad, and lifted the opener over the on-rushing French keeper from Ince's smart pass before profiting again within two minutes when Ince swivelled in the box to create a tap-in.

But the lead looked harsh on France and they responded when Sanogo got a faint touch on Antoine Conte's volley.

2015 European Under-21 Championship draw

Group A

Group B

Czech Republic

England

Germany

Italy

Denmark

Portugal

Serbia

Sweden

Tauvin burst through England's defensive line to force a brave block from Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson - who later went off injured - but the equaliser arrived when Sanogo, who is yet to score for Arsenal, converted Paul-Georges Ntep's cut-back.

France sealed a deserved win over Southgate's side when Coman produced a confident side-foot finish into the top corner on 74 minutes.

Burnley's Ings headed wide from a corner late on but England did not threaten meaningfully again.

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