Myles Lewis-Skelly etched his name into the history books on Friday, becoming the youngest player to score on his senior debut for England.
The 18-year-old netted a crucial goal in the Three Lions’ 2-0 victory over Albania at Wembley Stadium, marking a dream start to his international career.
Making his debut under newly appointed England manager Thomas Tuchel, Lewis-Skelly showcased the talent that has made him one of Arsenal’s most exciting prospects. His historic goal came in the 20th minute, thanks to an inch-perfect assist from Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid star played a beautifully weighted through ball into Lewis-Skelly’s path, and the teenager finished with composure, slotting the ball through goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha’s legs.
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At 18 years and 176 days old, Lewis-Skelly surpassed Marcus Rashford’s previous record (18 years and 209 days), set in a 2016 victory over Australia.
“I’m lost for words,” Lewis-Skelly told ITV. “I am so grateful to the manager for trusting me.
I am so happy. The fans made me feel at home, so thank you to them.”
Tuchel, managing his first game in charge of England, was full of praise for the Arsenal youngster, both for his on-field performance and his attitude in camp.
“He was amazing, In camp, he’s full of confidence, full of humor, and such an open and mature character. What you see on the pitch is what you get off it. He was instantly part of the group, which is very impressive.
“He plays with a natural confidence. He’s courageous, full of quality, and to be decisive in his debut like that was amazing.”
Lewis-Skelly’s rise has been meteoric, having only made his first Premier League start in December. His rapid progress has clearly caught Tuchel’s eye, with the England boss highlighting his technical ability and footballing intelligence.
“He’s a fantastic football player,” Tuchel added. “His first touches, his body movement, the way he opens up his body and plays passes his understanding of the game is incredibly natural.
“He’s versatile and can do many things. Today, we played a bit more conventional to make it easier for him to learn, but he adapted quickly. He understands the game very well.”
England secured a comfortable 2-0 win in their World Cup qualifying Group K opener, with captain Harry Kane adding the second goal in the 77th minute.
The victory marked a positive start to Tuchel’s tenure and an unforgettable night for Lewis-Skelly, whose historic debut could signal the beginning of a bright international career.
With his record-breaking goal and outstanding performance, Lewis-Skelly has announced himself on the international stage leaving England fans excited for what’s to come.
