“I knew I’d wear the England shirt young": Rio Ngumoha proud of competitive England debut | OneFootball

Rio Ngumoha has said he always had the belief that he could break into the England team as a teenager.

Ngumoha made his competitive debut for England during the 2-0 win over Czechia on Tuesday night, featuring for the final 19 minutes of the Nations League win.

The 18-year-old was first called into Thomas Tuchel's group during the summer, when he was invited to take part in the pre-World Cup training camp. Ngumoha madehis first England appearance in the summer, before getting his first taste of competitive action this week.

Ahead of this evening's clash against Croatia, theLiverpool winger reflected on his introduction to the England side.

"I was ready to go. Once I knew I was coming on, I just had that hunger, the fight, the belief," he toldITV Sport.

"Once I was on the pitch, it was like any game of football really."

Only Wayne Rooney and Jude Bellingham have made competitive debuts for England at a younger age, but Ngumoha said he always had confidence that he'd make the step to senior level while still a teen.

"I definitely had the confidence and the belief to think that I could definitely wear an England shirt at 18," he said.

"Did I think it would be the first camp? Maybe not, but I definitely knew that one day I'd play when I was pretty young."