Kobbie Mainoo enters record books during knock-out game against Slovakia

Slovakia and England will play each other in the round of 16 match at the Arena AufSchalke on Sunday in an attempt to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championship. Kobbie Mainoo, the young player for Manchester United, is included in the starting lineup for the very first time throughout the competition. In the midfield, he takes the place of Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander Arnold.

In addition, he is the third-youngest footballer to start an England team in a major tournament's knockout stage (World Cup/EUROs), behind only Wayne Rooney against Portugal in 2004 (18y 244d) and Michael Owen against Argentina in 1998 (18y 198d). 

After starting in England's UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 encounter against Slovakia, skipper Harry Kane has become the English footballer with the highest number of competitive games for the national team.

Ivan Schranz became the joint-top scorer of the competition with Jamal Musiala as well as Geroges Mikautadze after scoring Slovakia's first goal and his third goal in the UEFA Euro 2024. This goal has surely prompted many to ponder whether this team is good enough to lift the trophy later this month. Moreover, there are serious concerns on how the team is performing under Gareth Southgate in this competition. 

“It was the best thing for me” : Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo revealed his true colors in an interview with ITV Sport when he exhibited a great level of maturity, thought back on the circumstance, and acknowledged that it eventually benefited his development.

The Manchester United playmaker said, "I felt ready. Coming back from the injury, the manager wanted me to play a lot of U21s games, which I understood, but it was also frustrating because I felt like I was ready to make the step up [to the first team]. But when I look back on it now it was the best thing for me, and it made me the most ready I could have been for my first opportunity."