Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri joins Theo Walcott and Jude Bellingham with latest England record

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri hit the headlines once again as he impressed in his first start for the England under-21s against Portugal.

The Hale End academy star received a promotion to the highest youth level of the international side, having previously only featured for the under-19s and below.

The move to the under-21s saw Ethan Nwaneri make a short cameo against France under-21s in an eventual defeat for the Young Lions.

Fast forward to the second match of the international break and the 18-year-old Arsenal star was handed a first start for the England under-21s against Portugal.

It was a night to remember for Ethan Nwaneri, who joined an exclusive group of players with his performance.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Ethan Nwaneri including age, height and Arsenal record

Ethan Nwaneri scores on full England under-21s debut

Ethan Nwaneri was handed his first full start for the England under-21s as they welcomed Portugal at the Hawthorns.

A quick start saw the home side take the lead through Hayden Hackney before the Arsenal youngster scored to double the lead inside the first ten minutes of the match.

Fabio Silva pulled one back for the visitors before the break, while Omari Hutchinson and Jaden Philogene scored to rule a Carlos Forbes goal irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

With a huge 4-2 victory for England, it was made better by the fact that Nwaneri was able to score so early into his full debut.

Having made an impact at Arsenal this season, there had been calls for Nwaneri to get a senior England call-up, one that didn’t come in the end.

There is plenty of time for him to land that though, with a great first impression made in his short time with the under-21s so far.

There’s no doubt that more opportunities will arise for the forward, who has now joined an elite group of players with his first goal for the youth side.

• READ MORE: Three new positions Ethan Nwaneri can play after Bukayo Saka makes Arsenal injury return

England under-21s youngest-ever goal scorers

With Nwaneri’s first goal for the under-21s, he now officially joins the top five for youngest-ever goal scorers for the side.

The 18-year-old finds himself in fourth place, behind only Theo Walcott, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala, who were younger – but above Tottenham’s Archie Gray.

Those in the top three of that list have already gone on to have top careers at their respective clubs in the future.

For Nwaneri, there will be some hope that he can follow in their footsteps and even exceed them in the near future.