Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Declan Rice react after seeing what Ethan Nwaneri did for England U21s last night
03/25/2025 02:36 AM
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri starred for the England U21s against Portugal at The Hawthorns.
Lee Carsley‘s side faced the Portuguese in a friendly on Monday night, and Nwaneri earned his first-ever start at U21s level.
The Arsenal attacker turned 18 just a few days ago, and it was a big moment for him against a very talented Portugal side managed by Rui Jorge.
Nwaneri scored for England and helped them pick up a fantastic 4-2 win.
Harvey Elliott and Declan Rice react to Ethan Nwaneri’s England U21s debut
Nwaneri is having an unbelievable season.
The teenager has become a regular for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta and has produced a number of truly exceptional performances in the famous red and white.
There were a few suggestions that Nwaneri would leapfrog the U21s and head directly into the senior England squad, but Thomas Tuchel decided against it.
Carsley called Nwaneri up to his U21s side, and after using him as a substitute in the previous game, he gave the youngster his first-ever start on Monday.
It took Nwaneri just 10 minutes to score. He picked the ball outside the box, cut inside and found the corner in what has become a trademark goal.
After the game, the Arsenal attacker took to Instagram to celebrate his debut.
Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly replied with heart emojis, while Liverpool star Harvey Elliott wrote: “Young star!”
Ethan Nwaneri’s first England U21s start could be his last
Nwaneri is a generational talent.
The youngster’s performances under Arteta at Arsenal have been sensational. He has done an incredible job almost every time he has played and has scored some hugely impressive goals.
Monday night was Nwanri’s first-ever start for the England U21s, but we think it could be his last.
That’s because Nwaneri will have become even better by the next international break, and we won’t be surprised at all if he gets a senior England call-up.
Bukayo Saka became a regular for the Three Lions after he made his debut. We think the same could happen to Nwaneri, who is ready to play with the big boys.
