Both Blues were named in their country’s starting line-up as World Cup qualifying continued in Europe on Saturday evening, with Spain hosting Georgia in Elche and Portugal welcoming the Republic of Ireland to Lisbon.

Cucurella featured at left-back throughout as Spain strolled to a comfortable victory, despite Ferran Torres having a first-half penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

However, by that point they were already leading through Crystal Palace midfielder Yeremy Pino’s tap-in and Mikel Oyarzabal’s stunning free-kick made the final score 2-0. That leaves them three points clear at the top of Group E at the halfway stage of qualifying.

Neto played the first hour on the right wing for Portugal, although they were made to work hard for their win by the Irish. Indeed, for a long time it looked like the Iberian side were set to drop their first points of this qualifying campaign.

Pedro Porro and Cristiano Ronaldo had both hit the woodwork when Trincao had a shot blocked by a handball, only for Ronaldo’s penalty to be saved by Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher with 15 minutes remaining.

There was a dramatic finale though, as Ruben Neves headed in the only goal of the game in added time to make it three wins from as many games for Portugal, on an emotional evening as they played their first home game since the death of forward Diogo Jota.

They now have a commanding five-point lead in Group F with three games remaining, the first of which comes against second-placed Hungary in Lisbon on Tuesday, when Portgual could officially secure their place at the World Cup. Spain travel to Turkiye for their next game the same evening.

At youth level, Shumaira Mheuka continued his rich run of form in front of goal by netting the opener in a dominant 4-1 win for England Under-19s in a friendly against Belgium in Marbella.

The Chelsea Academy striker set the Young Lions on their way by scoring 30 minutes into the match, part of their preparations for the start of UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying next month.

Mheuka’s Chelsea Under-21s team-mate Jesse Derry joined him off the bench in the second half, as three further goals by Mikey Moore saw England stroll to a 4-1 victory. They are next in action on Tuesday morning, when they take on Wales in another Spanish friendly.