Internationals | Spence sees England win, big victory for Palhinha

Djed Spence’s first matchday with the senior England national team yielded a 2-0 home victory over Andorra, while Joao Palhinha’s Portugal were comfortable winners in Armenia on another busy day of World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.

Full-back Djed, who recently penned a new deal with the club and has this month earned his first senior call-up for his country, remained an unused substitute for the Three Lions as goals either side of half-time – an own goal and a header from Declan Rice – handed them maximum points at Villa Park.

Joao, meanwhile, came off the bench in the 79th minute of Portugal’s 5-0 triumph against Armenia. His side were already five goals up by that point, with the midfielder replacing one of the goalscorers, Joao Cancelo.

Also in action was Kevin Danso, who came on for the last 20 minutes of Austria’s 1-0 home win over Cyprus.

A number of our players were on duty for England’s youth sides earlier on Saturday – Callum Olusesi featured as a 69th-minute substitute in a thrilling 3-3 draw for the Under-19s against Spain at the Pinatar Arena, while all four of our players in the Under-18s squad took to the field as the Young Lions were crowned champions of the Costa De La Luz tournament with a 4-1 win over Morocco at Estadio Antonio Barbadillo. Jun’ai Byfield and Tynan Thompson started, while Malachi Hardy and Luca Williams-Barnett came off the bench amid wholesale changes in the 65th minute.

After making his international debut in midweek, young full-back Oscar Sandiford earned his first start as England Under-17s defeated Israel 2-1 in Germany. Oliver Boast also started and captained the side, playing an hour before being withdrawn.

Elsewhere, forward Oliver Salter played 70 minutes for Wales Under-17s as they won 2-1 away to Estonia.