Against Japan in a last-gasp victory in Marbella, Kobbie Mainoo began for the England U19s.

During their international break, the young English team is playing in a mini-tournament in Spain alongside teams from Japan, Mexico, and Romania.

Mainoo went straight into the match against Japan and supposedly wore the captain’s armband after coming off the bench for 30 minutes in England’s 6-0 thrashing of Romania.

Playing centrally in the middle, Mainoo assisted Jacob Wright and Will Lankshear in giving England a two-goal advantage early on.

A mistake in the first five minutes of the second half allowed Japan to score two goals, spoiling what appeared to be another easy win for England and Mainoo.

Japan took the lead when Shiogai Kento finished off an offside trap attempt that caught England off guard.

Kento doubled his goal two minutes later to square the score with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box that found the top of the net.

Jamie Donley, who replaced Mainoo in the 76th minute, gave the final statement after the substitution.

The game-winning goal for England came in the 94th minute from close range by Tottenham Hotspur forward Donley.

Goalkeeper Elyh Harrison is another standout on United’s under-19 squad, but he was a scratch for the first two games.

Even though he is one of just three players on the team born in 2006, Harrison’s promotion over his age group is remarkable, and it’s easy to see when he will get his chance to play.

On Tuesday, the England U19s will play their last match in Spain against Mexico, and Mainoo is certain to start again for the national team.