Jordan Henderson and England U21s Eliminated After Loss to Norway

England 1: Dawson (pen.) 57'
Norway 3: Berge 15', Berget 34', Eikrem 51'

Another day, another disappointing England performance, and this time one that cost them any chance at advancing beyond the group stages of a competition they were once hopeful of winning. England being England the complete capitulation isn't a total shock, but more was expected from a side that breezed through qualifying and dominated their opposition with attractive and effective football.

Jordan Henderson was the lone Liverpool starter on the day and acquitted himself with a stronger performance than the one he gave against Italy, but his side's defense was so utterly incompetent against an incisive Norway counter attack that any positives will be long forgotten. Set piece defending was the culprit for the first, but each of the Norwegian's next two came as a direct result of a lack of positional discipline and awareness throughout the England defense.

Henderson smashed a left-footed half-volley as England tried to claw back into the match, but the momentum was undone by Norway's third. Craig Dawson pulled one back just over five minutes later after a marginal penalty call, but England couldn't find another, as appearances from Jonjo Shelvey (on in the 67th minute) and Andre Wisdom (85th minute) did little to turn the match in England's favor.

It's an unsurprising but disappointing effort, and now all that's left is the lame duck finale against Israel on Tuesday. Hopefully those that take part emerge healthy, with the rest of the summer now spent resting and preparing for the preseason.