Youngest Goal Scorers at the World Cup

By: Eniko

Posted: December 7, 2022

Updated: December 7, 2022

Pele is the youngest player to score in a World Cup
He was only 17 when he scored against Wales in the 1958 World Cup
18-year-old Gavi became the third youngest player to score

We can see several young players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup representing their countries in spite of their age. From Alphonso Davies to Jude Bellingham, they perform at a top level and play as key members of their teams. Some of them could also score a goal. Like 18-year-old Spanish player, Gavi who became one of the youngest goal scorers at the World Cup. But we can find some other famous names in our list, that you can find below. Seems like players getting younger and younger, as we can find several under-25 players in most teams at the 2022 World Cup. Of course, they have already proved their skills and talent at their clubs. But playing for your national team must feel very special for these youngsters. Still, they can handle the pressure and perform at the level that is required of them. Just think about the US team where most of the squad has been under 25. Or Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, who is only 20, but he has played very confidently so far. We can find great talents in all posts, but scoring goals is even more special for younger players. There have been examples of young talents in earlier World Cups too, let’s see them now.

Pele Leads the List of the Youngest Goal Scorers at the World Cup

One of the greatest football players of all time, Pele started his career in the Brazil national team at a very young age. He was only 17 years and 239 days old when he scored his first World Cup goal in the 1958 World Cup. It happened in the quarter-final against Wales which the Brazilians won with Pele’s goal. Then Pele continued to make history and also became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXg8P0u9W9I After he scored three goals against France in the semi-final. The team won the match 5-2 just like the final against the hosts, Sweden. Of course, Pele also contributed to this victory with two goals. While he still holds the record for the youngest player and goal scorer in a World Cup Final. Another player from the early years of football follows him in the list of the youngest goal scorers at the World Cup.

Mexican Rosas Scored His Goal at the Age of 18

Mexican Manuel Rosas played in the first World Cup in 1930. He was a defender but he still managed to score, just into the wrong net. Rosas became the first player to score an own goal in the World Cup, in a group match against Chile. But his goal still lists him second on the all-time list as he was only 18 years and 90 days old at the time of scoring it. The Mexican made it up later with a brace against Argentina. Sadly they were not enough to lead his team to victory after Mexico lost the match 6-3. The two teams met again in Qatar with Argentina winning again. La Seleccion is through to the quarter-finals and will meet the Netherlands. Online sportsbooks in Mexico favor Argentina to win the game.

Gavi Debuted the List in Third Place

The young Barcelona player is not only the youngest Spanish player in a World Cup but also the third youngest player to score in the tournament. He was 18 years and 110 days old when he scored against Costa Rica in the team’s first group game in Qatar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHMf5mDYKB8 He also received FIFA’s Player of the Match award which is a remarkable achievement from the youngster. Unfortunately, Pedri can’t continue his great run at the World Cup after Spain lost against Morocco in the last 16. But surely we can see him back soon in other major tournaments both in the national team and in his club.

Michael Owen, the Youngest English Player to Score

Michael Owen scored his first World Cup goal in 1998 against Romania, when he was only 18 years and 190 days old. England lost the game eventually but they still advanced to the last 16. Where Owen scored his second goal against Argentina. The match ended with a 2-2 draw and went into penalties. No surprise, the Three Lions lost it and were out of the World Cup. It was still the beginning of a great career for Owen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_i9HXbmPRY As he also managed to score in the next three major tournaments, the UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Euro 2004. We can find great young players in the English squad in Qatar like 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, 21-year-old Bukayo Saka, or 22-year-old Phil Foden. All of them have scored already and they can do it again in the team’s next game against France. But in this quarter-final, the defending champions are favored to win according to online gambling sites in Mexico.

Nicolae Kovacs, another young scorer from the first World Cup

Finally, the fifth youngest player to score in a World Cup is Nicolae Kovacs, who also played in the first tournament in 1930. The Romanian player scored against Peru in the team’s first group game which they won 3-1 in the end. He was 18 years and 198 days old at the time of his goal, which was his only score in the World Cup. His teammate, 19-year-old Constantin Stanciu also scored in the game. Making it the only occasion when two under-20 players managed to score in the same game. Kovacs also took part in two more tournaments, in 1934 and 1938 but he couldn’t find the net in those World Cups.