Callum Hudson-Odoi targets more England caps after admitting debut 'didn't seem real'

Watch highlights as England beat the Czech Republic 5-0 in their opening European Qualifier

By Ben Grounds

Saturday 23 March 2019 13:27, UK

Callum Hudson-Odoi admitted he was shocked when England manager Gareth Southgate instructed him to get ready to come on during the 5-0 win over the Czech Republic in the European Qualifiers.

England got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with a thumping victory at Wembley in Group A, with Raheem Sterling's hat-trick added to by Harry Kane's penalty and a Tomas Kalas own goal, which came after Hudson-Odoi's shot was saved.

Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi was a late call-up to the squad but, after impressing in training, he was handed his first senior appearance at international level as he replaced Sterling with 20 minutes remaining.

At 18 years and 135 days, Hudson-Odoi became England's youngest debutant in competitive internationals, eclipsing Duncan Edwards' record set in 1955. With Jadon Sancho also on the pitch, it was the first time in 138 years that England had two players aged 18 years old or younger in the side.

Hudson-Odoi told Sky Sports: "I'm definitely delighted. I want to thank everybody for helping me get here, and to get the opportunity to play today is a massive feeling in front of the home crowd as well. Hopefully there's many more to come.

"I couldn't believe it (when I was told to get ready). I didn't think it was real. I was looking around the crowd and everybody looked happy - I couldn't believe it.

"I didn't know what to do, but I was delighted, and hopefully there'll be many more to come."

Sterling became the first England player to score a hat-trick at Wembley since Jermain Defoe in September 2010, scoring with all three of his shots in the match.

"I said to myself coming into this campaign that it's about replicating my club form," the Manchester City forward said. "I had full confidence in myself. I've kept working and I've kept being positive.

"I knew the moments would come, and I knew I just needed to carry that on. I'm just happy that I can be more confident in the shirt, wearing the shirt with pride and with no fear. The hat-trick was a bonus for me."

Sterling revealed a T-shirt in tribute to a young footballer after scoring his second goal. Damary Dawkins, a Crystal Palace youth team player who had been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for four years, died on Sunday aged 13.

Sterling's T-shirt under his England jersey had a photo of Dawkins and the message "May your soul rest in peace".

"Damary was a kid that I was trying to help and we thought that we found a donor. Sadly it didn't match and he sadly passed away," he said.

"I thought I had to do something to try to give his family something to smile about."

Follow all of Saturday's Euro 2020 Qualifiers live on Sky Sports Football from 2pm and via our live match blogs on the Sky Sports App and skysports.com.