For the first time since 1997, three Newcastle United players started for the England National Team, with Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento enjoying a Sunday to remember.
The trio follow in the footsteps of former Mags Alan Shearer, David Batty and Rob Lee in starting together for their country, with the young fullbacks both making their full debuts at Wembley.
In last night’s 5-0 demolition of the Republic of Ireland, which helped the Three Lions top their Nations League B group, it was the second goal that went down a treat on Tyneside as Livramento’s cross was turned in expertly by Gordon.
His classy volley past Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher grabbed England’s second and his very first goal for his country, to a raucous reception from the Wembley crowd. You could see how much it meant to him.
It was a night of firsts for many more of Lee Carsley’s players, as Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis also bagged their maiden England goals as well with the fourth and fifth of the night respectively.
The comprehensive 5-0 win saw Lewis Hall secure two clean sheets this international break, as pundits continue to acclaim the 20-year-old as England’s new go-to left back. Another stellar performance from Hall this season and a solid display from Livramento, too.
Come Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at St George’s Park next year, can we expect to see all three cement their place in the England squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers?
Then to Sandro Tonali, who got another 90 minutes for Italy after scoring in their 1-0 win over Belgium a few days ago. However, Sunday night’s return to the San Siro saw the Italians lose 3-1 to France.
The result saw France leapfrog Italy and claim top spot of Group A2 after Adrien Rabiot‘s brace in Milan. Both Les Bleus and Italy are through to the quarter-finals, although it wasn’t the return to the San Siro Tonali would’ve been hoping for!
One of other downside to the evening from a Newcastle perspective is that England’s win denied Odysseas Vlachodimos and Greece automatic progression to the Nations League A, despite the Greeks’ 2-0 away win over Finland in Group B’s other fixture.
Ivan Jovanović’s side can still reach League A however, as they’re now in-line to play one of Croatia, Poland or Scotland in two play off games during the March international break.
“Tonali suffers nightmare return to Milan”
They were beaten. How was that a nightmare”?
BykerBill(Quote)