LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (Interstat) — Reigan Heskey scored twice and England U19 used a late burst to beat Slovenia U19 4-1 on Wednesday in a global football match that turned on England’s finishing and Slovenia’s discipline problems. England scored four goals total and Slovenia scored one. The visitors led 1-0 after Heskey’s 34th-minute goal, but Florijan Meznar equalized for Slovenia in the 39th minute. England then pulled away with Harry Howell’s goal in the 79th minute and Heskey’s second goal in the 85th minute. The listed scoring plays included those three England goals, while the match total credited England with a fourth goal. England’s victory came after Slovenia had applied pressure early and found a response to Heskey’s opener, but the hosts could not keep pace through the final stretch. Slovenia’s equalizer came after a spell of pressure, and the hosts remained within reach until England scored late in the second half.

Heskey was England U19’s top star, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring twice. For Slovenia U19, Meznar played 67 minutes, scored once and was shown a yellow card before being substituted. Reggie Walsh played 90 minutes and supplied an assist. Harry Howell scored in an 18-minute appearance. Chizaram Ezenwata logged 79 minutes and an assist. Miha Matjasec played the full 90 minutes, provided an assist and was also booked. Meznar’s goal briefly brought Slovenia level, but England’s response after the break changed the match. Walsh’s assist helped England build its lead, while Ezenwata’s assist added to the visitors’ late control. Howell’s goal in the 79th minute gave England breathing room, and Heskey’s second goal in the 85th minute closed the scoring sequence listed for the visitors.

The match grew increasingly physical. Slovenia U19 received yellow cards to Koren in the 38th minute, Matjasec in the 44th, Horvat in the 50th, Meznar in the 54th and Pecar in the 76th. England U19’s Benamar was booked in the 74th. Slovenia made halftime changes with Kozar and Letonja, removed Meznar in the 67th and used Kujrakovic in the 82nd. England’s substitutions involved McAidoo in the 72nd, Ezenwata in the 79th and Williams-Barnett in the 80th. The second half included seven substitutions and four yellow cards. The bookings disrupted Slovenia’s rhythm and left the hosts with a difficult final half-hour as England protected its lead and added late goals. Slovenia’s five yellow cards underscored the hosts’ difficulties in containing England after the interval, and England’s one booking came during a stretch when the visitors were already ahead.

England U19 improved its season record in this competition to one win and no losses. The result moved England to two wins and one loss across all competitions. Slovenia U19 fell to no wins and one loss in this competition and to one win and two losses across all competitions. England had previously lost to Belgium U19 and beaten USA U19 this season. Slovenia had beaten Qatar U19 and lost to Ireland U19. The visitors’ overall form had been uneven, but the result gave England its second win across all competitions while Slovenia continued a difficult run after an earlier victory. England’s competition record remained perfect after the match, while Slovenia remained without a win in the competition. England’s four-goal output was its highest scoring performance of the season across all competitions.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Slovenia U19 1, England U19 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Slovenia U19 with a 66.7 percent probability to win. England U19 had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 3.5.