Ethan Nwaneri
Image credit: Getty Images
18-year-old Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri starred as England’s Under-21s opened their UEFA Euro 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan on Monday night at the Aktobe Ortalyk Stadion.
Nwaneri opened the scoring with a superb strike in the 18th minute, before captain Jobe Bellingham doubled the advantage five minutes later. The Young Lions, managed by Lee Carsley, controlled proceedings throughout and rarely looked troubled as they launched their title defence in style.
Carsley named a reshaped side, with only goalkeeper James Beadle and defender Jack Hinshelwood retained from the squad that lifted the Euro 2025 crown. Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong and Stoke City’s Divin Mubama made their debuts, while Borussia Dortmund’s Bellingham led the team for the first time.
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England threatened inside two minutes when Brooke Norton-Cuffy set up Mubama, only for home goalkeeper Dulat Talyspayev to save. Nwaneri soon provided the breakthrough, latching onto Mubama’s chested pass on the edge of the box and driving a low left-footed finish into the corner. Moments later, Bellingham powered in a header from Tyler Dibling’s corner to open his U21 account.
Ethan Nwaneri won player of the match for the England U21s in their match against Kazakhstan U21s today. pic.twitter.com/6YlYlf14WM
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) September 8, 2025
Nwaneri, later named Player of the Match, nearly struck again with a free-kick that Talyspayev pushed away. After the break, Kazakhstan offered more resistance, testing Beadle through Ayan Baidavletov and Ramazan Bagdat, while Nurali Zhaksylyk curled wide late on. England, however, stood firm to record a clean sheet.
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Carsley introduced Romain Esse, Thomas Watson, Sydie Peck and Ashley Phillips from the bench, with Esse going closest to adding a third after curling an effort across goal.
The result leaves England well placed in their group, with Nwaneri’s performance once again underlining his rapid rise. The 18-year-old, who became the youngest player in Premier League history at 15 years and 181 days, continues to generate excitement about his future for both club and country.
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