Everton U21 and Milan II met in the Premier League International Cup group stage on 2 September 2026, and the visitors carried a 1-2 lead into the final whistle. The match ended with three goals across its ninety minutes, though the opening strike came from the away side. Milan II took the lead early, Everton U21 fought back, and then the decisive moment arrived late in the game.
F. Colombo opened the scoring in the 26th minute for Milan II. The goal gave the visitors a cushion that Everton U21 struggled to overturn. By then, the home side had already registered 122 attacks compared to 112 from their opponents, but attacks without conversion leave you chasing the game. And here's the thing about these group fixtures — the first goal often sets the tone for everything that follows.
B. Graham pulled Everton U21 level in the 57th minute. The equaliser shifted momentum, if only temporarily. Milan II responded with greater urgency, and L. Ossola eventually restored the away lead in the 77th minute. Three yellow cards for each side suggested a contest that grew increasingly physical, though neither manager needed to show his cards.
Milan II held 52 per cent possession against Everton U21's 48, but the numbers tell only part of the story. The home side generated more corners — five away to three at Goodison — yet could not find the consistency needed to turn pressure into goals. Both teams finished with identical disciplinary records of three yellow cards each.
The result leaves Everton U21 with a record that includes a 1-2 defeat to Southampton U21 earlier in the month, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool U21, and now this loss to Milan II. They had shown resilience in those previous fixtures, but the away trip proved more demanding. Milan II will take satisfaction from a performance that, while not dominant, delivered the points when it mattered.
