Image Credits: Imago Images
Rio Ngumoha became England’s third-youngest competitive debutant on Tuesday evening. The Liverpool forward, who made his first Three Lions appearance in a friendly during the summer, came off the bench in the second half of England’s 2-0 UEFA Nations League win over Czechia.
Ngumoha’s competitive debut came 31 days after his 18th birthday. Only Wayne Rooney (17 years and 156 days) and Jude Bellingham (17 years and 269 days) have made competitive appearances for England at a younger age.
Manchester City star Nico O’Reilly has withdrawn from the England squad after missing the win over Czechia. His withdrawal could help Ngumoha, who had been left out of the squad for England’s opening Nations League game against Spain.
With England not calling up a replacement for O’Reilly, Tuchel now has 23 players available, meaning Ngumoha is unlikely to miss out on the matchday squad for the trip to Croatia or the home clash with Czechia.
Ngumoha was one of five supplementary players who travelled with England’s senior squad for their pre-World Cup training camp in Florida during the summer.
He was unexpectedly handed his debut in a 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand, impressing in a second-half cameo to become the fifth-youngest player to represent the Three Lions.
Ngumoha has enjoyed a rapid rise since becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever player to start a first-team match when he made his debut as a 16-year-old against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup during the 2024-25 season.
He then marked his Premier League debut with a stunning late winner in Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle United last season.
The forward has made three league appearances for Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool this season, but only one has come as a starter.
With Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak still being assessed, Ngumoha could be in line for his fourth start under Andoni Iraola when Liverpool face Manchester City next week.
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