Jude Bellingham’s record for being the youngest-ever player at the Euros is smashed just six days after it was set as Kacper Kozlowski comes on for Poland against Spain at the age of just 17 years and 246 days
- Kacper Kozlowski replaced Mateusz Klich with the score at 1-1 on 55 minutes
- Jude Bellingham was 17 years and 349 days when he came on against Croatia
- However, Poland’s Kozlowski has broken that record by 103 days against Spain
- The Spain draw means Poland can still finish top of Group E with a game to go
No sooner had Jude Bellingham broken Jetro Willems’ nine-year record for the youngest player ever at the Euros, then the record had changed hands once more.
Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski came on for Mateusz Klich on 55 minutes against Spain on Saturday at the age of 17 years and 246 days, 103 days younger than Bellingham was when he made his major tournament for England against Croatia last weekend.
Kozlowski, who plies his trade in his homeland for Pogon Szczecin, came on for his international cap in a 3-0 win over Andorra in a World Cup qualifier in March, replacing Piotr Zielinski.
Kacper Kozlowski came on against Spain to become the youngest-ever player at the Euros
The Poland midfielder broke Jude Bellingham’s record set against Croatia by 103 days
He then replaced Klich and Zielinski in international friendlies against Russia and Iceland respectively earlier this month before the biggest match of his career against the 2008 and 2012 European champions.
Willems had held the record prior to this tournament since 2012 when he made his debut in the Netherlands’ opening game of that tournament against Denmark aged 18 yearrs and 71 days.
However, the former Newcastle left back still holds the record as the youngster starter at the tournament, having played from the off against the Danes.
So, another record for Kozlowski and Bellingham to strive for.
Poland ultimately drew after Robert Lewandowski’s header cancelled out Alvaro Morata’s opener, with Sousa’s men replying just before Kozlowski took to the field.
He was on the pitch though as Spain wasted a golden opportunity to go 2-1 up as Gerard Moreno was accidentally stamped on by Jakub Moder, with a penalty only awarded after a VAR review.
Jetro Willems is still the youngster starter in the Euros when he played Denmark in 2012
Moreno stepped up, only to be denied by a glorious Wojciech Szczesny dive low to the former Arsenal man’s right, with Morata scuffing the rebound woefully wide.
Poland sit bottom of Group E with one point, while Spain have two penalties, Slovakia have three and Sweden have four.
Sousa’s side will need to beat the Scandinavians in their final group match to stand any chance of finishing in the top two, but there could be the possibility of a three-way tie for top spot if Poland win and Slovakia and Spain draw. Hold on to your hats.