Substitute Lewis Koumas claimed a debut winner as Wales Under-21s came from behind to beat Lithuania 2-1 and move top of Group I in qualifying for next year’s European Championship.

With senior national team manager Rob Page watching from the stands at Rodney Parade in Newport, the hosts fell behind to a 12th-minute finish from Motiejus Burba.

Wales, who featured Newport County AFC loanee Matt Baker in defence, levelled just three minutes later when Cardiff’s Rubin Colwill slotted home after working his way into the box from the left corner of the visitors’ 18-yard box.

With time ticking away, 18-year-old Liverpool player Koumas – the son of former Wales midfielder Jason Koumas – delightfully bent home a decisive first-time finish in the 77th minute.

That came after more fine play by Colwill, who will now join up with the seniors ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 play-off final against Poland in the capital.

South Wales Argus: Ruben ColwillRuben Colwill (Image: PA)

"He will be back with the senior squad," said under-21s head coach Matthew Jones.

"The alignment, I feel, has never been better between the two sides, because of the relationships with each other, we train with each other.

"It's all been done deliberately so Rob Page can cast his eyes and see when he needs to make a decision.

"It's working really well, we have to trust each other, there has to be a plan in place to manage them."

Victory for Matt Jones’ men lifts them three points above second-placed Denmark, albeit having played two matches more, while Iceland in third are five points adrift with three games in hand.

Wales play a friendly against Morocco in Turkey on Tuesday then finish their qualification campaign with a trip to Iceland in September and a home encounter with Czech Republic in October.