Arsenal youngster Max Dowman scored a fantastic goal for the England u17s on Tuesday, capping off their qualification success with another big win.
MALTA, MALTA: Max Dowman of England celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA U17 EURO Championship 2025 Qualifying Round match between England and Malta at Centenary Stadium Ta' Qali on October 24, 2024. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Arsenal duo Max Dowman and Jack Porter helped England to qualify for both the u17 Euros and the u17 World Cup by winning their qualification group in just two games over the March break.
After beating Israel and Slovenia, with Dowman providing assists in both matches and Porter keeping a clean sheet in the former fixture, England were mathematically assured progression to the two tournaments later this year.
But they had one more game to play against Northern Ireland, with the pressure off and the chance to make a statement.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Max Dowman of Arsenal is tackled by Samuel Lusale of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester United U18 at Emirates Stadium on February 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
That was exactly what happened, with Arsenal’s Dowman making his third start of the break as England ran riot to take a 4-0 lead by half-time.
The young Gunner’s goal was the best of the lot, as he raced away from three defenders before poking past the goalkeeper. He was subsequently withdrawn at half-time, with the game already won. It finished 5-0.
The England u17s can now prepare for the Euros in May and the World Cup in November, with 15-year-old Dowman likely to feature in both tournaments unless he’s promoted first.
Max Dowman celebrates his goal for the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Declan Rice called Dowman the top player in his age group this week, saying: “Max is the best 15-year-old in the country. I have had so many texts about Max recently where people have watched him and said: ‘Wow, what a talent’. So he is one to watch out for.
“But I think at 15 there is still such a long way to go. You can be the best in the country at 15, but it doesn’t necessarily mean at 18 you are going to be.
“So you need to be hungry, keep working, keep pushing. I speak with Max a lot and he knows that. And he has got such a good family around him. He is unreal.
“Luckily enough, I have a really good relationship with all three of them (Dowman, Nwaneri, and Lewis-Skelly) because Max gets to train with us quite a lot.
“Those three I have kind of taken under my wing a little bit because I have been in that position before and I had older players help me out.”
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