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Phillips became his club's first England starter at a major international tournament for 19 years as England began their quest for Euro 2020 glory against Croatia at Wembley.

The 25-year-old played an advanced role in midfield as West Ham's Declan Rice sat deep and Phillips set up the only goal of the game through a superb piece of play in the 57th minute.

The Whites Academy graduate stormed into the final third of the pitch and then produced a perfect through ball for Raheem Sterling who slammed home his finish to ensure Gareth Southgate's Three Lions began the tournament with a victory.

MATCH-WINNING ASSIST: For Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips as England began their quest for Euro 2020 glory in perfect fashion with a 1-0 victory against Croatia. Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.

Phillips then revealed that Sterling joked about his ability to finally find him with a pass, and Phillips also made light of the enormity of his feat and performance which not did befit a player making his international tournament debut.

"To be honest I am just laid back, that's the kind of person I am," said Phillips to BBC Sport.

"Regardless of what has been thrown at me I just kind of try and take it in my path and try and relax as much as possible.

"If I didn't have the team around me and the coaching team around me to make me feel like that then I don't think it would be possible."

Reflecting on his work to set up Sterling for the winner - and England's performance as a whole capped by his assist - Phillips said: "Obviously it's a nice feeling.

"Raheem said as soon as we finished celebrating that it's the first time that I have looked at him and first time that I have found him with a pass since I have been coming up England so it's a nice feeling.

"Obviously it's a great feeling to get an assist and it's a great feeling to get the three points.

"It was very enjoyable. It was really warm for a start. It took its toll on us towards the end of the game and it was obviously a great result.

"Obviously we are very happy with the performance but I know that there's two more group games left and we need to perform just as good as that if not better in the next two games."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-uniteds-kalvin-phillips-hailed-as-best-player-on-pitch-after-setting-up-england-winner-in-euros-opener-3271344

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-transfer-news-whites-in-the-frame-to-sign-real-madrid-legend-andrea-radrizzani-linked-with-italian-side-takeover-3271160

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins

Modest Kalvin Phillips reveals cheeky Raheem Sterling quip after Leeds United star sets up England winner