Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly makes England history as he breaks 153-year record
03/21/2025 05:40 PM
Myles Lewis-Skelly created England history by becoming the youngest player to score on their senior debut for the national team.
The versatile Arsenal star got the Thomas Tuchel era off to the perfect start by sliding home the opener in Friday night’s 2-0 win against Albania.
It took 20 minutes for the Three Lions to break the deadlock in their opening World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley.
And despite Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford all starting, it was Lewis-Skelly that found the back of the net first.
Bellingham found the run of the left-back with an expert through ball, with Lewis-Skelly coolly slotting through goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha’s legs with a first-time finish.
Ages just 18 years and 176 days, the teenager has become the youngest player to score on their England debut since the Three Lions’ first official match against Scotland in 1972.
“Life doesn’t get any better than that for a lad making his England debut… a fantastic finish,” England legend Stuart Pearce said on commentary for talkSPORT.
Lewis-Skelly has also broken the nine-year record previously set by teammate Rashford.
The Manchester United forward – on loan at Aston Villa – scored against Australia at the age of 18 years and 209 days in May 2016.
Meanwhile, Lewis-Skelly’s strike has seen him enter the top three of youngest England scorers in history.
It’s Wayne Rooney that sits top of the pile having scored his first in September 2003 at the age of 17 years and 317 days against North Macedonia.
Michael Owen is second on the list having got on the score sheet aged 18 years and 164 days against Morocco in May 1998.
It was Kane who then doubled England’s lead in the 77th minute at the Home of Football after being found by Declan Rice.
But it was Lewis-Skelly who stole the show against Albania in Tuchel’s first match.
Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season having only made his Arsenal debut in September.
He has since featured in 26 outings in all competitions – starting in nine of his 14 Premier League appearances.
The talented youngster may not have even started for England against Albania had Newcastle’s Lewis Hall not suffered a season-ending injury.
Like Lewis-Skelly, Hall has enjoyed a brilliant campaign and had been tipped to be a regular England starter under Tuchel, who handed him his Chelsea debut in 2022.
But Lewis-Skelly will now be hoping to stake his claim as to why he should be Tuchel’s preferred choice going forward.
The natural central midfielder will have another chance to shine in Monday night’s home clash against Latvia.
