Max Dowman is special! Arsenal sensation shines despite England opening Under-17 European Championships with draw against Belgium

England’s Under-17s made a great start to their European Championship campaign with Dowman seeing a shot blocked on the line in the opening exchanges before Alejandro Rodriguez broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes. The Lyon forward was picked out by an incisive pass from Fulham’s Seth Ridgeon and calmly stroked home a confident finish.

The Young Lions had more chances in the first half but couldn’t add to their tally. The dangerous Dowman turned his defender inside out before lashing a shot goalwards that was blocked, while Ryan McAidoo fired narrowly over from the edge of the box after more good work from the Arsenal starlet.

However, the misses proved costly as Belgium hit back at the start of the second half in sensational style when Noah Fernandez curled a brilliant free-kick over the wall and into the top corner from a free-kick just outside the penalty area.

Both side went on to carve out plenty of chances chances in an entertaining second period. Dowman teed up substitute Reigan Heskey brilliantly only for the Manchester City youngster to see his shot blocked. England then needed Bradley-Paul Burrowes to hook clear on the line on two occasions in quick succession to prevent Belgium from going ahead.

Heskey and fellow substitute Luca Williams both had sights of goal late on, but it was Belgium who finished the stronger as the two sides had to settle for a point.

Arsenal starletDowman was the pick of the bunch on Tuesday and caused all sorts of problems throughout the match. Belgium found his driving runs forward difficult to contain, and his ability to win the ball back high up the pitch and brush off defenders when surging forward posed a huge threat. The teenager was a little unlucky not to get on the scoresheet too after going close on a couple of occasions but certainly showed he's one to watch in Albania.

Noah Fernandez was Belgium's best player during his time on the pitch and equalised in sensational style just after half-time with a curling free-kick. However, he didn't last much longer after picking up an injury following a clash with goalkeeper Jack Porter. The teenager looked emotional as he went off and Belgium will be praying his tournament is not over already.

England return to action on Friday with their second match in Group B against Italy.