Arsenal youngster admits disappointment after fantastic England goal & assist | OneFootball

Arsenal youngster Max Dowman has shared his disappointment at England’s elimination from the u17 European Championships, after his goal and assist put them on the verge of progression.

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Arsenal 15-year-old Max Dowman and goalkeeper Jack Porter have been away with the England u17s for the u17 European Championships over the last week or so, but an opening-day draw with Belgium and a subsequent defeat to Italy left the team on the brink of elimination.

England still had a chance, going into their final group game against the Czech Republic, but they needed a big win and a Belgium defeat to step up into the progression places at the last moment.

Dowman got things started perfectly, scoring a fantastic solo goal just five minutes into the match.

Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

The teenager picked up the ball almost standing on the opposition goalline, but he tricked his way past a defender before finishing from the tightest of angles for 1-0.

10 minutes later, Dowman turned provider, with an excellent assist that took out most of the Czech defence with a single pass for 2-0. He continued to impress throughout the first half, playing a role in the buildup to England’s third goal and having a couple of chances to score more himself.

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By the time the Arsenal youth player was withdrawn with a knock in the 61st minute, England were 4-1 up and cruising. And with Italy turning around a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1 against Belgium, Dowman and Porter’s team were in line to qualify for the knockout stages.

Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

It all fell apart at the end, with the Czech Republic pulling back one more goal in the 89th minute for 4-2.

Though it was far too late to change the result, the goal meant England’s goal difference was no longer good enough to put them ahead of Belgium, who progressed instead.

“Disappointed but we will be back,” Dowman wrote on Instagram afterwards.

Photo via Arsenal.com

From an Arsenal point of view, the upside is that Dowman can now begin his holidays and rest up ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

There have been reliable reports that the midfielder is set to play a part in first-team pre-season, with Mikel Arteta confirming that will “probably” be the case.

England’s exit is a personal setback for Dowman, but he did what he could to keep them alive. The extra rest could end up being the best thing for him in the long term.