A Magpies squad featuring players from under-16 to under-19 age categories have participated in the Al Abtal Friendly Games series alongside Villarreal (Spain), PAOK FC (Greece), Austria Vienna (Austria) and two Saudi Arabian national teams - Saudi Green Falcons and Saudi White Falcons.

Newcastle's youngsters, situated in third place of Group C on nine points, were aiming to leapfrog their Spanish opponents with a victory in the Tarragona province and secure qualification into the quarter-final stages.

Despite a goalless first-half against the Yellow Submarine, though, three second-half strikes from the Spanish outfit condemned Newcastle to defeat.

Friendly matches have been held in Spain and the UK between November 2022 and March 2023, with the Academy playing a total of five games, three taking place in Spain and two on Tyneside.

Newcastle United Academy Starting XI: Max Thompson, Rory Powell, Ciaran Thompson, Alex Murphy, Jordan Hackett, Jamie Miley, Ellis Stanton, Scott Bailey, Shaun Mavididi, James Huntley (c), Josh Donaldson.