Michael Mills scored as four Newcastle United youngsters helped England Under-18s begin the UEFA Friendship Cup with a 3-2 victory over Colombia.
The 17-year-old winger opened the scoring after just 12 minutes in Switzerland, finishing after fellow Newcastle prospect Kyran Thompson supplied the assist.
Mills was one of three Magpies academy players named in England’s starting XI alongside Thompson and goalkeeper Roman Dowell, while Sam Alabi was introduced from the bench after the break.
Newcastle had already confirmed that all four players received their first England U18 call-ups for the tournament.
Their opening game could hardly have provided a better advertisement for the club’s increasingly prominent academy group.
Michael Mills makes immediate England impact
Mills gave England the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour before Colombia equalised through Caicedo on 31 minutes.
Jashayde Greenwood restored England’s advantage shortly before half-time and scored again after the interval to make it 3-1.
Colombia reduced the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, but England held on for a 3-2 victory.
The Mag reports that Dowell also made an important late save to deny Colombia an equaliser in the 88th minute.
That meant Newcastle players contributed at both ends of the pitch.
Mills scored, Thompson assisted, Dowell produced a decisive goalkeeping intervention and Alabi gained further international experience from the bench.
The involvement of four Magpies youngsters comes during a period of significant investment in Newcastle’s academy structure.
Read Newcastle has previously looked at why the club have placed a greater emphasis on creating a genuine academy pathway, while Newcastle have also expanded their youth recruitment operation over the past year.
The club’s appointment of Wesley Awad as head of youth recruitment formed part of that wider push.
England U18s next face Egypt on Sunday 27 September before meeting South Korea on Wednesday 30 September.
Read Newcastle is also tracking Newcastle’s players throughout the international break, with more than 20 Magpies involved across senior and youth national teams.
