Kharkiv (Ukraine): FIFA U-17 World Cup player of the tournament Phil Foden, who plies his trade for Manchester City, became the youngest English player to start in the Champions League.
Aged 17 years and 192 days, the midfielder became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match on Wednesday in his side’s 1-2 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk. He record of former Chelsea player Josh McEachran.
He also became the youngest player to start a Champions League match for an English club since Arsenal’s Cesc Fàbregas in 2004.
Shakhtar won the match with Caldeira Bernard (26th minute) and Ismaily Gonçalves dos Santos (32nd) scoring in the first half. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (90+1) netted the lone goal for the former English Premier League (EPL) champions through a penalty.
“Everyone at City would like to congratulate Phil on another significant milestone,” Manchester City said in a statement.
Foden, who will turn 18 in May next year, also became the first player born in 2000 to start a match in Europe’s top-level club competition. He made his Manchester City debut as a substitute in the win over Feyenoord last month.(IANS)
