The match had appeared on course for a stalemate with the score locked at 0-0 heading into the final 15 minutes at Stadio Dino Manuzzi in Cesena.

A foul from Jonjoe Kenny on Florinel Coman saw the match burst into life in the 76th minute, George Puscas firing Romania ahead from the resultant penalty.

England were forced to commit more players forward as only victory would keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

They found an immediate response with Demarai Gray bending a shot into the net from outside the box.

A mistake from Fikayo Tomori saw Romania's Ianis Hagi – son of Romanian Gheorghe Hagi – put Romania back in front in the 85th minute.

England again mustered a instant response with Tammy Abraham equalising a minute later, only for goalkeeper Dean Henderson to let a long-range effort from Coman to slip through his hands into the corner.

Coman then sealed a 4-2 victory for the Romanians with a powerful drive past Henderson.

The result leaves Romania top of the Group C standings, while England have suffered elimination with a match to go.

France joined Romania at the top of the table when edged Croatia in the late match.

A 10th minute header from Moussa Dembélé proved enough for France to secure a 1-0 victory.

France and Romania will meet in the final group match to determine who qualifies for the semi-finals and secures a Tokyo 2020 berth.

As it stands, France are the best second placed team in the competition which would also be enough to reach the semi-finals.