Max Dowman sets England U21 record in defeat to Portugal
Max Dowman became the youngest player to represent England at U21 level, though his side fell to a 1-0 loss against Portugal.
History was made at Ashton Gate as Max Dowman became the youngest player to ever represent the England Under-21 side. At 16 years, 10 months, and 13 days old, the youngster surpassed the previous record held by Jude Bellingham when he appeared as a second-half substitute.
A tough night for Lee Carsley's squad
Despite the individual milestone, it was a frustrating evening for Lee Carsley and his team. The Young Lions were unable to overcome an early deficit, with Portugal securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half goal from Bayer Leverkusen forward Afonso Moreira.
The defeat marks a difficult period for the squad, as they have now suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since March 2021. This result follows a previous defeat to the Republic of Ireland in their European Championship qualifying campaign last October.
As preparations for next year's tournament continue, the focus for the coaching staff will be on addressing these recent struggles. While Dowman's introduction provided a glimpse into the future, the team will need to find more consistency to regain their momentum on the international stage.
See stats and expectations for corners, cards and other incidents in upcoming matches.
Matches →
