There isn't a prouder moment for an England player than pulling the classic white strip for the first time as you embark on your international career. But for some, it takes not even one game to get their first goal in Three Lions colours, with four players able to lay claim to getting on the scoresheet on their debut.
Scoring your first international goal can be a turning point in your career as you make a statement of intent to be a driving force for the English moving forward. Several iconic forwards bagged during their teenage years before becoming prolific, such as second-all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
Here, GIVEMESPORT looks at the top 10 youngest goalscorers in England's national team history, including those scored in major international competitions, qualifiers and friendlies.
Youngest Goalscorers in England National Team History
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10 Joe Baker
Age: 19 years, 5 months and 1 day
Joe Baker has one of the most interesting stories regarding his international career, as he was raised in Scotland by a Scottish mother. But previous strict rules meant he had to represent the country of his birth. So when he stepped out for his debut against Northern Ireland in November 1959, he did so as the first player to represent England while playing outside the English Football League.
"I was the first Scottish League player to play for England, and it was a hard thing to take because I was a Scot, as far as I was concerned," said Joe Baker, referring to his international allegiance.
The former Hibernian frontman took no time whatsoever grabbing his first goal, driving into the box and firing the ball past Northern Irish goalkeeper Harry Gregg. It took just 16 minutes for Baker to mark his England debut with a goal, and he later assisted Ray Parry for a 90th-minute winner.
As his international career progressed, Baker eventually entered the English Football League, playing for Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. The Liverpool-born striker finished his international career with three goals and as many assists in eight caps.
9 Jude Bellingham
Age: 19 years, 4 months and 23 days
Jude Bellingham was fast-tracked into the England senior camp, making just four U21 appearances before debuting for the Three Lions in November 2020. He was enjoying a stellar spell at Borussia Dortmund, and Gareth Southgate had no choice but to make him a starter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
A teenage Bellingham showed maturity beyond his years in Qatar with star-studded performances that many forget. But he also left his mark with his first international goal in a 6-2 thrashing of Iran, rising high to head home the opener after an exquisite Luke Shaw cross.
This goal was an important one for the Stourbridge-born wonderkid as it displayed his extraordinary physicality and put the world on notice. The very next summer, Real Madrid came calling, seeing off Liverpool and Manchester City to bring the brightest English talent to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he's already won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
8 Jimmy Greaves
Age: 19 years, 2 months and 27 days
Jimmy Greaves was one of the best centre-forwards to play for England and found the net 44 times in 57 caps, the highest goals-per-match record of the top five scorers in the nation's history. The Tottenham Hotspur icon sits fifth on the all-time top scorer list, and it was clear how influential he'd be for the Three Lions from the moment he first appeared for the country.
A teenage Greaves, still making a name for himself at club level, was chosen by England shortly after his 19th birthday for a tour of the American continents. His first outing came in a disappointing 4-1 friendly loss to Peru in May 1959, but not for him as he scored a consolation goal.
It was one of many impressive displays that helped him avoid mass criticism of Walter Winterbottom's side following defeats to Peru, Brazil and Mexico. He appeared at the 1962 World Cup and four years later got his hands on a World Cup winners' medal after making three appearances in England's 1966 triumph.
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7 Micah Richards
Age: 19 years, 2 months and 15 days
Micah Richards burst onto the scene as a promising young full-back whose pace and physicality saw him brought into the England senior fold at 18 years old. The former Manchester City right-back was a reliable presence in Steve McClaren's side and his first goal came in a 3-0 win over Israel nearly a year after his debut.
Gareth Barry sent an asking corner into the box, and Richards met it with aplomb, heading in the Three Lions' third on the day for a Wembley win. It drew similarities to his famous injury-time header, which he managed for City against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, which was his first club goal.
The former Villa defender made 13 caps overall for England before calling time on his career in July 2019. Perhaps the highlight of his international career was representing Team Great Britain at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
6 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Age: 19 years, 1 month and 27 days
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was expected to become a mainstay in England's squad when he debuted aged 18 in May 2012. The versatile midfielder had tons of ability, and his adaptability made him ideal for international tournaments. But devastating injury issues plagued his international career.
The ex-Liverpool man still cracks the top 10 youngest goalscorers in his nation's history after finding the net in a 5-0 win over San Marino in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. He was the Three Lions' fourth scorer and took his effort well, guiding the ball into the top corner, his first of seven goals in 35 caps.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's last international appearance came in 2019, and he looks to have played his final England match unless he enjoys a late-career renaissance. He was a member of Roy Hodgson's side that crashed out of the Euros in 2012, appearing in all three group games before being left on the bench in a defeat to Italy in the quarter-finals.
5 Tommy Lawton
Age: 19 years and 16 days
Tommy Lawton was a formidable forward whose aerial abilities and clinical finishing were on display each time he took to the pitch for England. Stanley Matthews described him as the best English striker, and with a record of 22 goals in 23 caps, he's definitely up there.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal frontman made his international debut in a 4-2 friendly loss to Wales after just turning 19. But he drew the Three Lions level with a fiercely struck penalty and would go on to represent the country for a decade, enjoying many memorable moments, including four-goal hauls in an 8-2 mauling of the Netherlands and a 10-0 annihilation of Portugal.
Lawton was key as England won two British Home Championship titles in 1947 and 1948 and shared the title in 1939. World War II disrupted his career, but he still shone for club and country before issues with then-manager Walter Winterbottom, which meant he dropped out of contention internationally at 28.
4 Marcus Rashford
Age: 18 years, 6 months and 26 days
Marcus Rashford was seen as Wayne Rooney's successor at Manchester United when the young forward stepped into the England senior fold in 2016. He was one of the Premier League's biggest prospects, and after making history on his debut for United, he did so again for the Three Lions.
The Red Devils starlet started on the left in a friendly against Australia and ensured he was the talk of the town after just two-and-a-half minutes. He hit a fabulous volley after the ball fell to him just inside the box and a dream start to his career continued amid a meteoric rise at Old Trafford.
Rashford was included and appeared in every major international tournament from Euro 2016 to the 2022 World Cup. His career hit a roadblock with uninspired performances for United, preventing him from a call-up to Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate left out a versatile attacker who'd managed 17 goals and six assists in 60 caps.
3 Myles Lewis-Skelly
Age: 18 years, 5 months and 23 days
Myles Lewis-Skelly became the third-youngest goalscorer in England's history when he opened the scoring in a 2-0 win over Albania in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. The Arsenal youngster made his international debut and became the first goalscorer of the Thomas Tuchel era, which was the perfect way to announce yourself as a Three Lions star.
After rising through their esteemed Hale End academy, the London-born left-back had broken into the Gunners' senior setup. He has been a huge asset for Mikel Arteta in a season hampered by constant injury problems from defence to attack. Undoubtedly, he's one of the country's most promising talents and his goal showcased the fearless mentality he has displayed at the Emirates.
Gareth Southgate had issues dealing with Luke Shaw's fitness struggles when he looked to finally bring football home. That left-back spot looks prime and ready for Lewis-Skelly to make it his own for years to come, and perhaps will be Tuchel's starter at the 2026 World Cup.
2 Michael Owen
Age: 18 years, 5 months and 13 days
Michael Owen got his hands on the Ballon d'Or in 2001 and is one of only four English players to do so. The Liverpool legend had the world at his feet and England fans dreaming of trophy success when he debuted at age 18 in February 1998. His first goal came in May when he struck the winner in a 1-0 friendly win over Morocco.
The Chester-born striker was found with a ball over the top and he drove forward with purpose before tucking it away. He scored 40 goals for the Three Lions and many were similar to his first, breaking in transition before clinically finding the net.
Owen's international career stuttered midway through his career due to several injury problems, including a ruptured hamstring early on. He declined after leaving Liverpool, unable to shake off constant fitness setbacks, but there's no doubt he's one of the most talented frontmen in England's history.
1 Wayne Rooney
Age: 17 years, 10 months and 15 days
Wayne Rooney is the only England international to score before their 18th birthday and the Manchester United icon loved nothing more than making history. Macedonia took a shock lead on home soil, but Rooney rose to the occasion after Emile Heskey's neat-headed cutback found him on the edge of the box, and he drilled the ball first time into the back of the net.
The iconic former Everton striker would become the Three Lions' all-time top scorer in September 2015 before closing out his career on 53 goals in 120 games. His record stood until 2023 when Harry Kane netted his 54th goal, but Rooney had left his mark with an international spell that saw him drop back into a deeper role in his latter years.
Rooney is among the best English talents who have never won a major international competition. Sometimes, a fact is used against him in debates over the best forwards in history. But he showcased his enormous ability, stealing the show at the age of 18 at Euro 2004, with four goals in four games. His all-rounded dominance would likely have been hugely influential for the current crop in their recent runners-up finishes in the past two European Championships because he was a proven winner.
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All statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt- correct as of 24/03/2025