England were denied a first Under-20 World Cup victory in 16 years as Iraq grabbed an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 in Antalya last night.
Peter Taylor's men seemed sure to end that desperate statistic when Luke Williams added to Conor Coady's first-half opener, which was the first goal the side had scored at a World Cup since Michael Owen's strike in 1997.
England had dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead when Tottenham's Harry Kane headed down a corner for Coady to score in the 41st minute. Kane then set up Williams for the second seven minutes into the second half.
However, Ali Faez pulled one back from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time when England goalkeeper Samuel Johnstone brought down Mohanad Abdulraheem in the area. Then in the third minute of injury time, Ali Adnan weaved his way past four defenders in the area and fired a shot that glanced off Johnstone and went into the net.
England play group favourites Chile in their second match on Wednesday.
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