Tino Livramento marked his return to the England U-21s side with a win as the Young Lions defeated Spain 3-1 in Tranava to reach the EURO semi-finals.
Having been benched by Lee Carsley for the group game against Germany, the 22-year-old was a welcome inclusion to the starting XI, though there we notably no place for former Magpie Elliot Anderson in the midfield.
The quarter-final tie looked like it had gotten off to the worst possible start for Livramento and co. as it looked like a Charlie Cresswell handball was about to give Spain a penalty inside five minutes. Thankfully, VAR was there to intervene.
England rebounded quickly, with James McAtee and Harvey Elliot striking in quick succession to make it 2-0 just 15 minutes in. Against the favourites, England were cruising.
As part of this dominant spell, Livramento was freely running down the right flank, and was unlucky not to grab an assist with his persistent efforts.
Midway through the first half, former Toon target Jarrel Quansah brought down Alberto Moleiro in the box for a penalty, which Javi Guerra (himself once linked with a move to the North East) converted to make it 2-1 before half time.
Into the second half, and Livramento still looked dangerous, dispossessing the Spanish players before driving deep into the opposing half. Routine stuff for the right-back.
But Spain weren’t out of the tie yet, as they kept pushing for an equaliser. Livramento did extremely well to block Mateo Joseph’s effort just before the hour mark, and James Beadle made some more big saves.
England held their nerve, however, and a last minute penalty from ex-Mag Elliot Anderson sealed a huge win and progression into the semi-finals.
The result drew the ire of the Spanish players however, and Livramento was perhaps lucky to avoid injury from a reckless lunge right at the end before a mini brawl broke out at the full time whistle!
With no injury or fitness concerns this time around, you can expect Livramento to keep his place in the defence as England look to retain their crown.
A semi-final clash against the Netherlands, who Will Osula’s Denmark have already beaten in the group stage, now awaits.
Speaking of Osula, he and the Danes face France for a spot in the semi-finals on Sunday afternoon (5pm), where the winner of that tie will play either Germany or Italy.
Though Denmark are perhaps seen as the outsiders in their half of the draw, there’s still potential for our two young Magpies to share the stage in the final should results go their way over the next week.