It’s always a special moment when a youngster scores in a big tournament like the World Cup, and Spain’s Gavi is the latest edition to join the list after his goal against Costa Rica.
1. Pelé – 17 years, 239 days
Pelé is the youngest player in history to score at a World Cup, and he’s the only player to score who’s under the age of 18.
He played a pivotal part in leading Brazil to World Cup glory back in 1958, scoring six times.
It was even more impressive that his first goal of the tournament came in a quarter final win over Wales, then he scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals and then two more in the final to help Brazil lift the trophy for the first time.
2. Manuel Rosas – 18 years, 93 days
Mexican defender Manuel Rosas is the second youngest scorer at a World Cup, and he certainly had a tournament to remember, for multiple reasons.
At just 18 years and 93 days old, Rosas scored twice for Mexico in a 6-3 defeat to Argentina, but one of his goals was the first ever penalty scored at a World Cup all the way back in 1930.
However just three days prior, he also scored the first ever own goal in a World Cup tournament, which arguably means he could have been the first scorer at 18 years and 90 days – but he just scored in the wrong net.
If you’re ever doing a quiz on World Cup knowledge and you’re asked about a first penalty ever, or a first own goal – be sure to guess Manuel Rosas!
3. Gavi – 18 years, 110 days
Gavi is the latest edition to this list coming in at the third youngest goalscorer at a World Cup, and he is the youngest since Pele scored against Wales in 1958. The Barcelona talent scored a terrific goal in Spain’s 7-0 win against Costa Rica in Qatar on Wednesday.
The 18 year-old also became Spain’s youngest ever player to play at a World Cup, and debuted in fine fashion – also picking up the Player of the Match with a goal and assist.
Spain's fifth goal by Gavi is amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing
— Leo Messi (@Messi_10_30) November 23, 2022
4. Michael Owen – 18 years, 190 days
England’s Michael Owen is the fourth youngest goalscorer in a World Cup, and still to this day the youngest European goalscorer.
He netted for England in their group stage game against Romania back in 1998. He went on to score again in the tournament against Argentina in the last-16 in what is still to this day one of the countries most memorable goals.
He went on to win the Ballon d’Or in 2001, and became one of England’s greatest ever strikers.
5. Nicolae Kovács – 18 years, 197 days
Romanian striker Nicolae Kovács scored his only goal at a World Cup as Romania won 3-1 against Peru back in 1930. It was quite the occasion for Romania, as Constantin Stanciu also scored in the match, at the age of 19 years and 92 days old, and it’s the only time in World Cup history where two teenagers have scored in the same game.
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