Diego Llorente's strong message as Leeds United duo shine in Thursday night internationals

Whites centre-back Llorente played the full duration of Spain's Nations League clash against Portugal in Seville which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Llorente was booked in the contest but only his centre-back partner Pau Torres had more touches of the ball and the Whites defender offered a passing completion rate of 91 per cent as 67 of his 74 attempted passes were accurate.

The 28-year-old, who had 85 touches of the ball, also won two out of his three attempted aerial battles in addition to making five clearances and four ball recoveries.

Spain were heading for victory after a 25th-minute strike from Alvaro Morata only for Ricardo Horta to equalise eight minutes from time but Llorente sent a strong message via his solid display.

The defender has not played a full game for Spain since also excelling in a goalless draw at home to Portugal in an international friendly of July 2020.

Whites 'keeper Illan Meslier also impressed on Thursday evening, the custodian playing the full duration of a 2-0 victory for France's under-21s at home to Serbia's under-21s in a European Under-21s qualifier at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.

Leeds midfielder Alfie McCalmont, who spent last season on loan at Morecambe, was an unused substitute for Northern Ireland's senior squad as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Greece in a Nations League clash.