Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Max Dowman becomes England U21s' youngest player in Portugal defeat
Max Dowman became England’s youngest Under-21 player when he made his debut at 16.
The Arsenal player came on with about 30 minutes left in England’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in Bristol.
He broke the record held by Jude Bellingham, who was 17 when he made his Under-21 debut in 2020.
Portugal took the lead through Afonso Moreira’s first-half goal, and England could not find an equaliser.
The defeat was England’s second in a row, their first run of successive losses since March 2021.
Dowman is being considered for next summer’s Under-21 European Championship, with coach Lee Carsley saying he has three games left before the tournament to make his case.
England will be seeking to win the competition for a third consecutive time.
Max Dowman became England Under-21s’ youngest player when he made his debut against Portugal.
England lost 1-0 after Afonso Moreira scored for Portugal in the first half.
Dowman was 16 years, 10 months and 13 days old, breaking Jude Bellingham’s record.
He came on as a substitute with about 30 minutes remaining.
The match was played at Ashton Gate in Bristol as England prepared for next year’s tournament.
- Who
- England Under-21s and Portugal Under-21s played; Max Dowman made his England debut.
- What
- Portugal beat England 1-0, while Dowman became England’s youngest Under-21 player.
- When
- November 13, 2026.
- Where
- Ashton Gate in Bristol.
- Why
- England were preparing for next year’s tournament.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Afonso Moreira scored to put Portugal ahead.
Max Dowman came on as a substitute for his England Under-21s debut.
Mikey Moore shot straight at Portugal goalkeeper Joao Carvalho.
- Final score
- Portugal 1-0 England
- England debutant
- Max Dowman
- Dowman’s age
- 16 years, 10 months and 13 days
- Previous record holder
- Jude Bellingham
- Venue
- Ashton Gate, Bristol
2 sources
What people are saying
I thought he was outstanding when he came on tonight.
I thought Max was unlucky not to get an assist... he made a great pass to Mikey Moore.
Posts on X
Narrow defeat for our U21 #YoungLions tonight.