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22 March 2025

Myles Lewis-Skelly Becomes Youngest Goalscorer For England On Debut

The Arsenal defender scores in a World Cup qualifying match, breaking Marcus Rashford's record.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has etched his name in the pages of football history by becoming the youngest player to score on his debut for the England national team. At just 18 years and 176 days old, the Arsenal left-back transformed his first game into a record-setting performance as he netted the opening goal in England's World Cup qualifying match against Albania.

The match took place on March 21, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, where Thomas Tuchel stepped into his role as the head coach of England for the first time. Following a disappointing showing in the 2024 European Championship as the losing finalist, there was considerable anticipation surrounding Tuchel's approach to thisWorld Cup qualification campaign. And he could not have hoped for a better start.

In the 21st minute, Lewis-Skelly received a precision through ball from rising star Jude Bellingham, cutting through the Albanian defense. Keeping his composure in front of the Albanian goalkeeper, Thomas Strakosha, Lewis-Skelly skillfully slotted the ball through Strakosha's legs, giving England a 1-0 lead.

This goal not only marked a personal triumph for the young player but also secured his place in the record books, surpassing Marcus Rashford as the youngest player to score on his debut for the national side—by 33 days. Rashford was 18 years and 209 days when he scored in his first international match. Lewis-Skelly's achievement is a testament to his talent and potential as a key player in the national team moving forward.

As fans celebrated Lewis-Skelly's historic moment, they also kept an eye on Jordan Henderson, a familiar face returning to the England setup after his club troubles. Henderson, however, began the match on the bench as Tuchel looked to showcase the next generation of players.

Following the match, analysts reflected on the implications of Lewis-Skelly's performance. Reports highlighted that England not only needed a fresh cadre of players to revitalize their campaign after the recent disappointment in the European Championship, but they also needed established stars like Henderson to guide these youngsters. As the team gears up for the competitive matches ahead, the pressure will be on both Tuchel and his young squad to deliver strong performances and secure their place at the World Cup.

The echoes of Lewis-Skelly's goal and his record will resonate for years to come. His debut serves not only as a historical milestone but also as an important reminder of the talent that lies within the younger tiers of English football. With rising stars like Lewis-Skelly and established players alike, England fans have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the team's future prospects.

Thomas Tuchel's first match ended in a promising victory, injecting new energy into a squad that has experienced some ups and downs in recent years. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Tuchel capitalizes on this momentum in the remaining qualification fixtures, hoping that this impressive start sets the tone for a successful path to the World Cup in the coming years.