Jarrod Bowen could not hide his frustration when his goal was disallowed during England’s 2-2 with Belgium at Wembley.
The West Ham winger thought he had nodded England ahead just before the half hour mark, but VAR adjudged it as offside.
Despite his disappointment, it is another England cap for Bowen who has worked his way from non-league Hereford to the national side in the space of a decade.
“You are playing at Wembley for your country is does not get more special than that. It is just down to me to play my game, that I know that I can play, but I am disappointed that I have not scored”, said Bowen.
“As soon as it went in, I was like “wow, I have done it, I have scored a goal!” but I have come back to half way and the referee is checking it and it is disallowed. That is just my luck. Hopefully there will be more opportunities to score.
“It is not nice, especially in a friendly, I did not expect there to be VAR! It did not even cross my mind. I did not have any inkling that I was going to be offside from a corner, but I have just got to keep going.”
Bowen is hoping of a first call up to an major tournament. His form at West Ham this season has been strong, scoring 16 goals and providing seven assists in all competition for the Hammers.
Now he wants to continue his fine form this season, to attract the eyes of Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
“When I came here it was with the mindset that I have got to do what I have been doing at club level week in week out”, said Bowen
“To play at a major tournament would be another level, it is back to West Ham now and finishing the season really strongly. I am doing all I can.”