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It was a dream game for England debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly.
On March 21st, England defeated Albania 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in their opening World Cup qualifier under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
But it was the 18-year-old Arsenal player who stole the headlines on the night.
Normally a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly — referred to by fans as ‘MLS’ — has recently become a makeshift left-back for Arsenal amid their injury crisis in defense. The Gunners’ mainstay LB, Riccardo Calafiori, has been plagued by fitness issues since joining from Bologna in the summer of 2024, forcing manager Mikel Arteta to turn to the academy graduate.
His introduction has been nothing short of a revelation, enabled by his rapid rise through the ranks at Hale End — Arsenal’s famed youth academy. His performances at club level caught the eye of Tuchel, who wasted no time handing the teenager his senior international debut against Albania.
Just 20 minutes into the match, Lewis-Skelly latched onto a pinpoint through ball from Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, darting behind the Albanian defense and coolly slotted the ball through goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha’s legs. The strike meant he broke the record for being the youngest player to score on his senior England debut at 18 years and 176 days — surpassing Marcus Rashford’s previous record set in 2016. The Wembley crowd erupted and Lewis-Skelly looked a mix of disbelief and joy as his teammates mobbed him in celebration.
The goal set the tone for a controlled England performance, with captain Harry Kane sealing the victory late in the second half with his 70th England goal. Yet, the night belonged to Lewis-Skelly. 87 touches, 93 percent pass accuracy, seven ball recoveries, and a perfect record in ground duels is a stat line that any seasoned pro would be proud of.
Tuchel praised his “natural confidence” and “amazing personality,” noting how seamlessly the youngster integrated into the senior squad.
For Arsenal fans, this debut goal is a glimpse of a bright future. Lewis-Skelly’s shift from central midfield to left-back mirrors players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, but with a more dynamic flair. With Calafiori’s injury woes and Kieran Tierney’s uncertain status, Lewis-Skelly could cement a regular role at club level sooner than expected. For England, his emergence signals the emphasis on youth and depth of talent Tuchel has ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“I’m lost for words,” Lewis-Skelly told English outlet ITV post-match. His teammates, including Arsenal and England teammate Declan Rice, hailed his “fearless” display.
