After playing for England Schoolboys, playing in a trial at Roker Park in front of the England selectors, and representing The Football League, Matthews was given his England debut at Ninian Park in 1934.[85] Matthews scored the third goal as England beat the Welsh 4–0.[86] His second game would be the infamous Battle of Highbury, where he set up Eric Brook for the first goal of a 3–2 win over world champions Italy.[87] The Italians turned the match into a "bloodbath", and it ended up as the most violent match that Matthews would ever be involved in.[88]