Dowman was 16 years, 10 months and 13 days old when he replaced Amario Cozier-Duberry just past the hour in Bristol. That erases Bellingham’s record of 17 years, 2 months and 6 days, set against Kosovo in 2020.

The Arsenal teenager was one of five substitutes sent on in a bunch by Carsley, with England already chasing the game. Afonso Moreira had put Portugal ahead in the 28th minute, cutting past Burnley defender Max Alleyne and squeezing a low finish under Arsenal goalkeeper Tommy Setford. England pushed for an equaliser after Dowman’s introduction but could not force one, and back-to-back defeats for this age group are something they had not suffered since 2021.

Carsley: ‘outstanding when he came on’

Carsley kept the focus on the debutant after the final whistle.

“I thought he was outstanding when he came on tonight,” he told reporters. “He took up some really good positions, both in the 10 and out wide, he’s got a big future ahead.”

Read also: Four World Cups, one home Worlds: Van Aert’s cyclocross comeback has a deadline

The England U21 manager had already flagged Dowman as one to watch when he named his squad for the November camp, which was built around two home friendlies in Bristol as preparation for next summer’s UEFA U21 Euros.

A record collector before his A-levels

The U21 mark is only the latest Dowman has gathered. He is already Arsenal’s youngest player in the Champions League era at 15 years and 308 days, became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days with a strike against Everton, and lifted the Premier League trophy at 16 years and 144 days.

He is currently serving a domestic suspension after a red card in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town, which is part of why Carsley had an opening to hand him an England camp at all this month.

Tuchel watching, but no fast-track

The senior team is watching. Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, was asked about Dowman when he picked his own squad earlier this month and made the compliment plain.

Read also: Jimmy Butler threatens to “fistfight” Warriors GM over unusual comeback plan

“He is in the spotlight now. He is an outstanding talent, everyone who tells me about Max praises him and is full of compliments,” Tuchel said.

Tuchel also drew a line, though. He pointed out that Dowman is “competing for minutes” rather than starting regularly for Arsenal and said the Emirates was the right environment for him right now, rather than a quick call-up to the senior side.

That makes the U21 route the live one, and Carsley’s group return to Ashton Gate on Monday 16 November to face France in their second and final fixture of this camp.

Read also: Goalkeeper handed maximum 12-match ban after collision that preceded opponent’s death