Scholar Max Broughton started for England Under-17s as they recovered from being 2-0 down to beat Portugal 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Competing in a three-game mini-tournament on English soil with a new-look squad to the one that won the Under-17s World Cup last month in India, Broughton wore the number five shirt and completed 58 minutes in the Young Lions opening game at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium.
Eduardo Ribeiro opened the scoring for the visitors, driving at the England defence before putting a powerful low finish past Southend’s Harry Seaden.
Sporting CP midfielder Rodrigo Fernandes then doubled the Portugal lead with another header four minutes before the break after officials deemed the ball to have crossed the line to leave England with a mountain to climb.
England responded and clawed one back soon after the interval, with skipper Thomas Doyle curling a 46th-minute free-kick directly into the goal from a narrow angle.
Umaro Embalo was booked for fouling Arvin Appiah to concede that free-kick, and another foul on the same player seven minutes later meant a red card for the Portugal captain.
Two minutes later, the Young Lions were level with Appiah’s low cross deflecting off Tomas Tavares’ outstretched leg and past Joao Monteiro via the underside of the bar.
Substitute Bobby Duncan coming off the bench to score a late winner, poking home Appiah’s ball from the right with just three minutes remaining.
Next up for Broughton and England Under-17s is a clash with Russia at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium on Saturday 11 November.