JOSH Sims could not prevent England U20s from a second defeat at the Toulon tournament in France, ending their defence of the title they had won for three successive years.

Sims, a substitute in the shock defeat to Japan on Saturday, played 69 minutes of the 3-2 defeat against Portugal in Salon de Provence.

England took an early lead through through Eddie Nketiah after Sims’ shot was diverted into the path of the Arsenal forward.

But Portugal hit back with three goals in the space of ten first-half minutes.

Sims was replaced by West Brom’s Kyle Edwards with 20 minutes left.

England pulled a goal back through Joe Willock in the 86th minute, after Edwards’ cross was moved on by Nketiah, to set up a grandstand finish.