Sun 24 Mar
Time to read: 1min
Mixed emotions for Derby striker as England defeat Portugal 1-0.
Derby County striker Mason Bennett saw red for England’s Under 17s during their 1-0 win over Portugal on Saturday evening, in their first game of the Elite Qualifying Round for the UEFA European U17 Championships at St. George’s Park.
The game was due to be played at Walsall, but heavy snow in the West Midlands on Friday left the Banks’s Stadium pitch unplayable and forced the switch to England’s recently-opened training base in Burton.
16-year-old Bennett was named in the England starting XI but his dismissal came five minutes from half time, as his tackle on Clever Franca earned the Rams’ youngest ever player and goalscorer a straight red card.
Despite being a man down, Chelsea forward Alex Kiwomya found the net in the second period to win the game for the Three Lions.
Next up for England is a game against Russia at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on Monday night, followed by a clash with Slovenia on Thursday at the same venue.
The Football Association have not yet confirmed how many games Bennett will miss as a result of his red card.
