Arsenal teenager Lewis Skelly makes history in England win

At 18 years and 176 days old, Myles Lewis-Skelly was among the new faces in the team when England coach Thomas Tuchel named his first squad for duty just under a week ago.

His selection went on to cause a social media storm, with arguments over whether he deserved a place in the team.

However, after a brilliant and assured display where he scored a goal and was easy on the eye as England beat Albania 2-0 at Wembley, the Arsenal fullback announced that he had arrived, with a man of the match display Friday night.

He ended up as England's youngest-ever goal scorer.

Lewis Skelly (20) and Harry Kane (77) were the goalscorers at a packed Wembley in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier but the plaudits were all about Lewis Skelly for the night.

"He is fearless," Lewis-Skelly's Arsenal teammate Declan Rice told ITV. "He does everything right off the pitch and he is only 18. I knew he was going to play like that tonight because of the confidence he has. He has kept his feet on the ground and it is only the start for him", he said.

New England boss Tuchel described Lewis-Skelly as an "amazing player" and "amazing personality" when asked about his display.

"He was amazing in camp," said the German. "He is full of confidence and very full of humour and such an open and mature character. Everything you see on the pitch you see off the pitch."

"He was straight away part of the group, it's very impressive. He does it with a natural confidence and this is how he plays football."

England are in group K of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

They share a group with Latvia, Serbia, Andorra, and Albania and lead the group with three points from one match played.

In another group match played yesterday, Latvia beat Andorra 1-0 to also move to three points.

European qualification consists of 12 groups.

The group winners will all secure a place in the Americas next summer automatically with 12 others who finish second heading to a playoff to secure a place.