Yahoo Sport 
'Zidane would have been proud' - National media left in awe of Curtis Jones as Liverpool star 'seizes opportunity'
Curtis Jones was the star man for England as the Three Lions won 3-0 away at Greece on Thursday night. Handed his senior international debut, the Liverpool midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance and capped off the victory with a stunning backheeled goal.
"My goodness me, Zinedine Zidane would have been proud of that!" BBC Radio 5Live's chief football correspondent, John Murray, said of Jones’ goal when commentating on the match in Athens.
But there was far more to the 23-year-old’s performance than one audacious finish, as he earned widespread praise from supporters, team-mates and pundits alike.
READ MORE: Federico Chiesa Liverpool truth clear amid transfer reports and demands from Italy
And the English media too, of course, who were over in Athens reporting on England’s latest game. With the Liverpool man the star performer, the ECHO have rounded up everything they had to say about the in-form midfielder…
“If there was any evidence needed as to whether Jones feels comfortable at this level, then that provided it,” Phil McNulty of BBC Sport wrote of the midfielder’s ‘flash of genius’.
He’d add: “Jones has been increasing his claims for a full England cap with an impressive season at Liverpool, so it was a dream night for the midfielder when he not only finally made his full international bow, but crowned it with a moment laced with confidence and genius.
“England were already on their way to the win as silence descended on the packed Olympic Stadium in Greece, leaving Liverpool-born Jones to provide the perfect ending to a hugely satisfying evening.
“Jones had already shown several pieces of sleight of foot, as well as composure in possession, but there was rare audacity about the manner in which he flicked a finish across Greece keeper Vlachodimos with the inside of his right heel from Gibbs-White's delivery.”
Jonathan Northcroft of The Times gave Jones a seven in his player ratings and praised the midfielder for being ‘outstanding throughout his senior debut’, with his ‘maturity impressing.’ Of his strike, he wrote: “It was a moment so carefree and impudent you forgot this was a crunch game, in a difficult arena, and England were supposed to be playing safe and protecting their precious 2-0 lead. It was a moment of alternative thinking.”
Mike McGrath of The Telegraph went one better as he awarded Jones an eight, writing: “Another huge call to give his debut in must-win match – and he repaid faith with a back-heeled finish for his goal. Played a bit deeper than his Liverpool role but he did well, keeping the ball moving and holding possession.”
Meanwhile, his Telegraph colleague, Sam Wallace, was impressed by how Jones, ‘having the season of his life’ and his fellow England debutants came good for interim manager Lee Carsley.
The Guardian’s David Hytner believes Jones 'seized his opportunity’ as he wrote: “Winning his first cap, Jones strutted his stuff in central midfield and produced the moment of the night, a stunning first-time back-heeled finish from a pass from the substitute Morgan Gibbs-White for 3-0…
“Carsley watched Jones push out his chest and zip his passes, always looking to turn sharply and make something happen… The last word belonged to Jones.”
In his post-match analysis, Guardian colleague Barney Ronay wrote: “Curtis Jones did something entirely in keeping with his almost laughably unhurried performance all night, letting the ball run past him, then producing a perfectly pinged instep drag-flick into the far corner…
“Jones was excellent all night, perfect for this kind of football because he likes the ball, skips about with his head up and actually enjoys passing and moving.”
Richard Jolly of The Independent wrote of Jones: “Possibly the player of the match even before his delightful back-heeled finish. The Liverpudlian has the capacity to look unfazed by any occasion. He excelled in possession.”
Meanwhile, he was handed an eight in colleague Luke Baker’s player ratings.
“Looked comfortable on the ball, even when handed possession under pressure, and dovetailed decently enough with Conor Gallagher,” he wrote. “The highlight was undoubtedly his clever flicked finish for the third goal on 83 minutes and it capped a very nice England debut, where he didn’t look out of place at all. He’ll have plenty more chances to impress in the coming months and years.”
Finally, Craig Hope of the Daily Mail gave Jones a 7.5 in his own player ratings, writing: “Very encouraging debut. Brave in getting on ball and used it well. Wriggled out of a few tight situations and capped it all with clever, flicked goal.”
