Kovacic came on with just over 20 minutes left to help Croatia to a comfortable 3-0 home victory against Hungary, to leave them top of their Euro 2020 qualifying group.

In the same group, Wales were held by Slovakia in Trnava with Kieffer Moore’s opener cancelled out by Juraj Kucka's second-half volley. Ampadu, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig, started the game for Ryan Giggs’ side before being substituted just before the hour mark. The defensive midfielder had earlier made a fantastic block to deny an almost certain goal after just 11 minutes.

Meanwhile Michy Batshuayi was an unused substitute as Belgium thrashed San Marino 9-0 in Brussels to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group I. Former Blues Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois both featured for Roberto Martinez’s side.

Scotland Under-21s remain unbeaten in qualifying for the 2021 European Championship finals following a goalless draw with Lithuania in Edinburgh. Billy Gilmour, who recently impressed on his full Chelsea debut in the Carabao Cup, played throughout for Scot Gemmill’s side, who have seven points from their opening three matches.

Tariq Lamptey played 90 minutes for England Under-20s as the young Lions drew 2-2 in Italy, winning the penalty that secured the Three Lions’ second goal. The full-back is the only Chelsea representative in Keith Downing’s squad following Conor Gallagher’s promotion to join the Under-21s earlier in the week.

Development squad goalkeeper Karlo Ziger kept a clean sheet as he appeared for Croatia Under-19s in a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The victory sees them move top of their qualification group for next summer’s European Championships at that age group.

Also at Under-19s level, Clinton Mola lined up for England against France in the Marbella International Cup. After drawing level from the spot, the French went on to score a further two goals and take the 3-1 victory. Mola played the duration, while Henry Lawrence was an unused substitute and continues to wait for his first young Lions cap.

At the Under-17 age group, England played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Germany in which defender Levi Colwill started. A 90th-minute equaliser from former Blues schoolboy Nathan Young-Coombes denied the Germans victory in Spain.