Anthony Gordon has said making his England debut was the "best day" of his life, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat against Brazil at Wembley.
Gordon, 23, was called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time earlier this month after impressing for Newcastle this season, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in 40 appearances. And the former Everton winger was thrown straight into the starting XI to make his senior bow against Brazil.
Although England were beaten courtesy of a second-half strike from new Real Madrid forward Endrick, Gordon produced an impressive performance on his debut. He constantly got on the ball and put the Brazil back-line under pressure with his pace, direct running and excellent dribbling ability.
Speaking after the game, Gordon, who lasted until the 75th minute before being taken off for Marcus Rashford, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Tonight was the best day of my life. I envisioned it a bit different with a win and a goal. I thought we were the better team but we lacked that cutting edge that they had at the end.
"This is my long-term dream I have had. To achieve it means everything to me.
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"I haven't just envisioned it in the last couple of years, I have imagined it in the garden [as a kid] recreating Rooney and Gerrard's goals - it's just an amazing moment. We have to find a way of killing teams and putting them to the sword when we get the chance."
England are back in action when they host Belgium on Tuesday and Gordon will be hoping to impress and show Southgate why he should be in the final squad for Euro 2024 this summer. The Three Lions get their tournament underway in Germany with a game against Serbia on June 16.
Anthony Gordon impressed against Brazil (Getty Images)"You can never truly be in this England squad with the talent around you," Gordon added. "I have got so long to go as I haven't showed them what I can do to a full extent."
Gordon wasn't the only debutant against Brazil, however. Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa made his Three Lions bow in the fixture after he came on for the injured Kyle Walker in the 20th minute. Konsa slotted into the right-back role and performed admirably, despite that not being his natural position.
Konsa, who turned 26 last October, has had to wait for his Three Lions bow but believes the patience has been worthwhile. "Definitely worth the wait and it's a dream come true - a proud moment," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I wasn't expecting to come on that early, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I thought we were the better team and dominated the ball, but we couldn't score a goal."
He continued: "It is every kid's dream to play in a major tournament, hopefully I make the squad that goes to Germany."
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