Arsenal\'s 15-year-old forward Max Dowman was fouled nine times during England\'s 3-3 draw with Spain in the U19 international tournament. The Premier League\'s second-youngest ever player won a penalty and impressed scouts from top European clubs despite aggressive treatment.
Dowman started on the right wing against Spanish opponents who were two to three years older. Getafe defender Davinchi committed most of the fouls before being substituted to prevent a sending-off.
England head coach Will Antwi expressed concern about the referee\'s failure to protect Dowman from repeated fouling. Eight fouls were committed against the teenager before any yellow card was issued during the match in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.
\"I think if you\'re a good winger, that\'s going to come your way, so he has to find a way to adapt and we have to help protect him,\" Antwi told The Athletic. \"Today there were eight fouls on him before anyone got a yellow card, and that\'s not right.\"
Spain coach David Cubillo compared Dowman\'s playing style to former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, praising his unpredictability and direct approach.
\"I saw him against Ukraine and he\'s a very unpredictable player — he reminded me a bit of Januzaj in his early days with that left foot, that touch, that change of pace,\" Cubillo said. \"Today he surprised me because I saw him playing very directly.\"
Antwi praised Dowman\'s ability to perform at the senior level despite his age, emphasizing his football maturity over chronological concerns.
\"His age is his age, but his football ability is his football ability,\" Antwi added. \"I\'m not gambling because he already played for Arsenal. In football, when you\'re good enough, you\'re old enough, and he can play at this level.\"
Representatives from Milan, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United attended the match. Scouts compared Dowman\'s dribbling ability to Barcelona\'s Lamine Yamal but acknowledged little chance of prising him from Arsenal.
Dowman won the penalty that leveled the match at 2-2 after beating Davinchi with skillful dribbling. He required medical treatment for an ankle injury sustained during the persistent fouling but continued playing until his second-half substitution.