Best Ever EFL Debut? Meet The New Wigan Star Making History

Ever dreamt of scoring a late winner for your boyhood club, muscling your way into the spotlight from the first minute of your career?

Of course you have; we all have. It is a classic childhood dream that sustains an early ambition to become a professional footballer - the only issue is that for 99.9% of us, it is a dream that is never fulfilled. Why do you think I became a football writer instead?

However, on Saturday night, it was fulfilled by a certain Harrison Bettoni, as off the bench, he notched a stunning late double to grab his side, Wigan Athletic, a vital win as they look to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

While there is little information on whether Wigan is in fact Bettoni’s boyhood team, let’s assume it is - what a way to introduce yourself! Let’s take a look at how he did it.

Wigan Athletic limbs when Harrison Bettoni scored the winner vs AFC Wimbledon yesterday 👏 #wafc pic.twitter.com/uOxMgV5NqX

— AllAboutLeagueOne (@LeagueOne25) November 23, 2025

Breakthrough Star

Up until Saturday evening, the 18-year-old Bettoni had only ever played three senior games. All of them had come this season, but all three of them were in the EFL Trophy, a competition in which virtually every participating team puts out a weaker side, such is its lack of importance.

Failing to score or assist in any of these, it looked as if Bettoni would be yet another prospect who took a while to find his feet despite guaranteeing himself some minutes in a senior competition.

However, all of that changed when Wigan played AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

In a hard-fought match, the Latics had battled hard to keep the scores level, with Wimbledon arguably the better side thanks to the home advantage. Eventually, the home side made the pressure tell, as with 20 minutes to go, Alistair Smith put the Dons 1-0 up with a poacher's finish.

It was all hands on deck for Wigan, and there was a flurry of changes as Ryan Lowe looked to turn the tide. Ex-Wrexham frontman Paul Mullin was brought on, and five minutes later, when Wigan won a free kick 25 yards from goal, Oliver Cooper and, of course, Bettoni also took to the field.

It was remarkable to see the teenager take to the field and immediately shape up to take the free kick - junior players rarely ever get first dibs at dead ball scenarios, but Bettoni must have impressed on the training ground as well as garnered the respect of his seniors in order to be on free kick duty.

Seconds later, he showed why. With a wand of a left-footed strike, the Englishman thumped a curling effort into the far corner, leaving Wimbledon keeper Nathan Bishop no chance despite his flailing dive. It was Bettoni’s first touch of the ball in a truly meaningful competition, and he had scored what could end up being the best goal of his career with it.

It was surely one of the quickest debut goals ever, and the action wouldn’t stop there. Ten minutes later, with Wigan suddenly in the ascendancy, Paul Mullin volleyed the ball into acres of space, and it was Bettoni haring after it.

Getting there ahead of the defender, he worked himself a favourable shooting angle, and this time with his right foot, slotted the ball under Bishop to send the travelling Wigan fans wild.

With 87 minutes on the clock, the teenager had single-handedly turned the game on its head, making Lowe look like a tactical genius, and himself look like the second coming of Hugo Rodallega (Wigan's answer to a prime Barclays man - if you know, you know).

First touch. First goal. Match winner. ✨

What a dream debut for Wigan's 17-year-old Harrison Bettoni! pic.twitter.com/wHQST63A1S

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 23, 2025

No, he is not the youngest League One goalscorer, and he is certainly not the first to score on debut. But to score with your first touch in the competitions is quite something. Though I doubt that Opta keeps track of this stat, you readers should let us know if you have any data available on this.

His winning performance at the weekend will almost certainly cement him a starting spot next week, and it will give League One fans their first opportunity to watch Bettoni from the start.

The stats have got us excited; now the eye test does the rest. All I will say is that from the highlights, this guy looks like a future star. Harrison Bettoni - remember the name.