A trio of West Ham United Academy talent were in action on international duty during Wednesday’s fixtures.
Undoubtedly, the biggest story saw Ollie Scarles make his England U18s debut, helping the national side to a 2-1 friendly win over Croatia U18s.
The versatile defender earned his first appearance off the bench for the young Lions on 61 minutes, replacing Middlesbrough’s Sonny Pinch.
Neither side had found the breakthrough at the point of Scarles’ introduction but a manic spell just a few minutes later saw three goals scored in as many minutes.
Croatia took the lead on 67 minutes before Leo Castledine set up substitute Jobe Bellingham for the equaliser moments later. The highly intense period was rounded off when fellow replacement Joel Ndala scored the winner on 69 minutes.
Next up for Scarles and England U18s is a test against Belgium on Friday 24 March.
Divin Mubama was also in action for England, representing the U19s in a 1-0 win against Hungary U19s.
The striker was named in the starting XI for the match at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, with victory secured thanks to Charlie Webster’s finish on 33 minutes.
Victory puts England as the early pace-setters in their group as they seek to secure qualification for July’s UEFA U19s European Championship Finals.
Mubama and his England teammates will next face Iceland on Saturday 25 March.
At U17s level, Josh Briggs started for Northern Ireland as they fell to a late 2-1 defeat to Netherlands.
The two sides met in Wednesday’s match, in Group Three of Elite Round qualifying for the UEFA European Championships, with young Hammers Briggs featuring in the heart of defence for his national side.
Northern Ireland would take the lead on 33 minutes when Ryan Donnelly found the net with a fine finish, just minutes after Briggs himself had gone close.
However, the Netherlands levelled midway through the second half thanks to Enoch Mastoras’ free-kick.
A hammer blow was dealt to the Irish in stoppage time when Tygo Land turned home from a set-piece, inflicting defeat on Briggs and his teammates.
Finally, Finlay Herrick was an unused substitute as England U17s claimed a 3-1 win away to Denmark in their UEFA U17 Euro elite qualifying round group.
