England Win as Tuchel Debuts, Lewis-Skelly Shines

Tuchel Begins England Reign with Victory as Arsenal Teen Sets Historic Record

Saturday, March 22, 2025

England launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on a strong note with a convincing 2-0 home win over Albania, a result that also marked a memorable debut for Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly. The fixture, part of Group K which also includes Latvia, Andorra, Serbia, and Albania, saw England emerge as early group leaders alongside Latvia—both teams securing three points from their opening matches.

The victory was significant not only for the three points but also as the first official win under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, who was overseeing his debut game in charge of the national side.

Goals from captain Harry Kane and the 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly sealed the win. However, it was the young Arsenal defender’s historic strike that captivated attention and etched his name in the record books. At just 18 years and 176 days old, Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score for England on his senior debut, surpassing the previous record held by Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford. Rashford had set the benchmark in May 2016 against Australia at the age of 18 years and 209 days.

Beyond his goal, Lewis-Skelly delivered an impressive all-around performance, earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike. His composure, maturity, and technical quality were evident throughout the match—further reinforcing predictions that he could become a pivotal figure for both Arsenal and the national team in the years ahead.

Declan Rice, who shares the pitch with Lewis-Skelly at both Arsenal and England, lauded the youngster's fearless display:

“He’s fearless. He does everything right off the pitch and he’s only 18. I knew he’d play like this tonight because he’s so confident.”

Head coach Thomas Tuchel was equally full of praise for the teenage star, highlighting his exceptional mindset and personality:

“He’s been extraordinary in training camp and is overflowing with confidence. He’s cheerful, mature beyond his years, and everything you see on the pitch reflects who he is off it. He plays with natural self-belief—that’s why he thrives on the field.”

With a promising start under Tuchel and the emergence of a new young talent, England's journey toward the 2026 World Cup has begun with optimism and momentum.