Sport
Curtis Jones joins Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford in exclusive club after goal on England debut – can you name them all?
CURTIS JONES joined an exclusive club of England stars to score on their Three Lions debut on Thursday evening.
Jones, 23, became the 14th England star to score a debut goal for England since 2000.
The Liverpool midfielder scored a stunning strike to cap England's 3-0 win over Greece in Athens.
Jones ran from the edge of his own area all the way to the Greek six-yard box, where he inventively stopped Morgan Gibbs-White's drilled pass home.
That goal will be one to remember, with the star now joining the likes of Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford on the list of England's debut goalscorers this century.
But not every scoring debutant has done great things. Can you name them all?
Curtis Jones (v. Greece, 2024)
Jones, the last name on the list, scored his first goal in the 83rd minute.
The midfielder has been in fantastic form for Arne Slot's Liverpool side and will hope his impressive performance against the Greeks will earn him more caps for the Three Lions under incoming boss Thomas Tuchel.
Ollie Watkins (vs. San Marino, 2021)
Ollie Watkins needed just 20 minutes to find the back of the net on his England debut, albeit against San Marino.
Watkins scored in the 83rd minute of a 5–0 win over San Marino, just 20 minutes after being introduced from the bench.
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The Aston Villa striker is likely to remember his dramatic late winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final more than his debut goal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (v Wales, 2020)
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his debut goal in a 3-0 win over home rivals Wales in a friendly in 2020.
Unfortunately for Calvert-Lewin, his lead was scored in front of an empty Wembley Stadium thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since scoring that day, the Toffees talisman has made 11 appearances for England but has not been called up to the squad since 2021.
Callum Wilson (vs. USA, 2018)
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson played for Bournemouth when he made his England debut in 2018.
A great finish just moments away sealed the deal as England beat the USA 3-0 in a friendly at Wembley.
Wilson has made just eight appearances for the Three Lions since that day and scored again.
Marcus Rashford (v. Australia, 2016)
Playing as a striker, 18-year-old Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene with a volley against Australia in 2016.
The Man Utd star has been a mainstay for the Three Lions since that day, making 60 appearances, scoring 17 goals and appearing in four major tournaments.
But problems at club level meant Rashford lost his place in the squad this year.
Harry Kane (vs Lithuania, 2015)
Of course, Harry Kane scored on his England debut.
The country's captain was a fresh-faced 21-year-old when he came off the bench for Wayne Rooney to score after just TWO MINUTES in a 4-0 win over Lithuania.
A fitting change too, as Kane would eventually replace Rooney as England's all-time top scorer in 2023.
Rickie Lambert (vs Scotland, 2013)
Rickie Lambert scored the winner as England beat Scotland 3-2 in a friendly at Wembley, a way to make your debut.
Unfortunately, the retired Saints and Liverpool ace only played a total of eleven games for the Three Lions.
Andros Townsend (v. Montenegro, 2013)
Andros Townsend scored a debut goal in a World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.
The winger scored in a 4-1 win and made thirteen appearances for his country.
Steven Caulker (vs. Sweden, 2012)
The first defender on the list, Steven Caulker, made just ONE appearance for England.
It was a memorable one, though, as the former Spurs centre-back arrived at the back post to score against Sweden.
Unfortunately for Caulker, his goal isn't the one everyone remembers from England's 4-2 defeat that day, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored THAT overhead kick.
Incredibly, Caulker played 13 games for Sierra Leone and no more for England.
David Nugent (against Andorra, 2007)
David Nugent played for Preston at the time and is the second one-hit wonder on the list.
Nugent scored a debut goal against Andorra and never played for England again.
Kieran Richardson (vs. USA, 2005)
Kieran Richardson's debut goal came against the USA when he was just 20 years old.
Richardson only made seven more international matches after that day and also scored once.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (vs Ukraine, 2004)
It took Shaun Wright-Phillips just 20 minutes to score on his debut after coming on as a substitute during a 3-0 win over Ukraine.
He had a strong international career, earning 36 caps and playing at the 2010 World Cup.
Francis Jeffers (vs Australia, 2003)
One-hit wonders are a thing for the England national team.
Francis Jeffers set the tone for David Nugent and Steven Caulker when he scored on his debut, and only England appearance, against Australia.
England lost 3-1 and Jeffers never played for the Three Lions again, but at least he will always have the memory of scoring for his country.
Darius Vassell (vs Netherlands, 2002)
Former Aston Villa and Man City star Darius Vassell started his England career with a bang.
The striker scored in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands led by the late Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Vasell represented England at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and earned 22 caps as a player.
The 44-year-old is now assistant manager for England U18s.