As the current round of international fixtures got underway in earnest on Thursday evening, Oriol Romeu played the whole of Spain Under 21s’ 0-0 draw away in Switzerland that keeps his side on track for the European Under-21 Championships.
Spain, the reigning champions at this level, dominated the game throughout and the point, their 19th from seven games, guarantees top spot in their group which means they now go forward to a set of play-offs.
England Under-21s need one point from their match against Norway o Monday to do similar after a 2-0 win away on an artificial pitch in Azerbaijan. However Josh McEachran, who was given a fitness test ahead of the game, was not involved.
There was a start for England Under-19 captain Nathaniel Chalobah, now on loan at Watford, but his side fell to a 3-1 defeat against Germany Under-19s in a friendly played in Hamburg.
Amin Affane, on loan at Roda JC, played the first hour of Sweden Under-18s ‘2-1 home defeat against Denmark.