Watch: Dowman scores ‘GLORIOUS’ solo goal for Arsenal U19s – ‘Take a bow!’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Max Dowman capped off Arsenal U19’s 4-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League by netting a solo wonder goal, running the German side’s defence ragged.Having got his side’s opening goal earlier in the match, the 15-year-old secured Arsenal’s first victory in the competition with a mazy run past three of the young Bavarians’ back four, as he cut in from the right flank.
He left Cassiano Kiala and 18-year-old Ljubo Puljic for dead and, as right-back Magnus Dalpiaz (also three years Dowman’s senior) scrambled across, the youngster handed out his final indignity by spinning past the Austrian and lifting a graceful shot over the sprawling Leonard Prescott.
“Dowman, he is threatening to go all the way. Oh, that is a glorious goal from the best player on the pitch!” enthused TNT Sports commentator Gary Taphouse.
“This is why he has played for the first team at the age of 15. Max Dowman, take a bow.
“Look at this little spin here, away from Dalpiaz then just lifts it over the goalkeeper to seal Arsenal’s first victory in the competition this season and seal Bayern’s defeat.”
‘He was going back to school!’ – Rice on FaceTime chat with Dowman
Video credit: TNT Sports
It is Dowman’s fourth UEFA Youth League goal in only two matches after he also hit a brace of penalties against Atletico Madrid’s youngsters.
His opener against Bayern was more of a poacher’s finish as Josh Ogunnaike pick-pocketed the visitors in midfield and freed Kyran Thompson up the left flank, who cut inside and fired from the edge of the area with Dowman stretching and deflecting the shot past Prescott.
After David Daiber missed a penalty, Thompson added his own strike to put Arsenal ahead after 70 minutes and Ceadach O’Neill made it 3-1 for the hosts before Puljic’s 83rd-minute goal eventually proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the German side.
The result means Arsenal have given themselves a sliver of hope going into the final game of the League Phase, but they must win their remaining match, against Club Brugge, by a heavy scoreline to have any chance of reaching the knockout phase play-offs.
Sharing the field with Ethan Nwaneri’s younger brother Emerson for the final few minutes, the victory was Dowman’s 11th start of the season for club and country, including a record-breaking EFL Cup game against Brighton & Hove Albion alongside his senior substitute appearances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
A new star in the making?
History was made during the afternoon Youth League fixture as Arsenal’s 13-year-old academy star, Luis Munoz, came off the bench to become the youngest-ever player to appear in the competition.
Munoz, aged 13 years, 11 months and 15 days, beat the previous record set by Liam Payas, who – aged 14, three months and one day – played for Lincoln Red Imps U19s, according to The Athletic.
Munoz came off the bench on 85 minutes as part of a triple substitution which also included Emerson Nwaneri, with both players having represented Arsenal’s U16 team this season.
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