Youngest goalscorers in World Cup history as Gavi nets in Spain rout of Costa Rica

Contributor
Feargal Brennan
Youngest goalscorers in World Cup history as Gavi nets in Spain rout of Costa Rica image

Spain's start to the 2022 World Cup saw them storm past Costa Rica with a 7-0 win in their Group E opener in Al Thumama.

La Roja's biggest ever World Cup win has boosted optimism of a return to their 2010 glory days with Luis Enrique's side emerging as genuine dark horse contenders in Qatar.

However, the postgame chat focused on teenage starlet Gavi, as the Barcelona playmaker became the youngest player to score in a World Cup since Pele.

It signals another landmark for the 18-year-old but where does he rank in the all-time youngest World Cup goalscorers list?

MORE: FIFA World Cup schedule 2022: Complete match dates, times, team fixtures for Qatar tournament

Who are the youngest goalscorers in World Cup history?

The pressure of performing at a World Cup is already a major factor in a manager's decision to use a young player at a World Cup but asking them to score is a different question.

However, the motivation of World Cup attention has often released the shackles on teenage stars, and they have produced some remarkable World Cup moments.

Youngest Goalscorers at a World Cup
PlayerCountryTournamentAge
PeleBrazilWorld Cup 195817y 239d
Manuel RosasMexicoWorld Cup 193018y 93d
GaviSpainWorld Cup 202218y 110d
Michael OwenEnglandWorld Cup 199818y 190d
Nikolae KovacsRomaniaWorld Cup 193018y 197d
Dmitri SychevRussiaWorld Cup 200218y 231d
Lionel MessiArgentinaWorld Cup 200618y 357d
Julian GreenUSAWorld Cup 201419y 25d
Divock Origi Belgium World Cup 201419y 65d
Martin HoffmannWest GermanyWorld Cup 197419y 88d

Where does Gavi rank in the all-time list?

Being connected with such an iconic name as Pele shows just how far Gavi has come since making his international debut just 14 months ago.

His goal against Costa Rica puts him third on the all-time list, just ahead of Micheal Owen from France '98, with Lionel Messi in seventh.

Who are the youngest goalscorers at Qatar 2022?

Unsurprising, Gavi is the youngest play to score so far at Qatar 2022, with other emerging stars aiming to join him in the coming weeks.

Youngest Goalscorers at Qatar 2022
PlayerCountryOpponentAge
GaviSpainCosta Rica18y 110d
Jude BellinghamEnglandIran19y 145d
Bukayo SakaEnglandIran21y 77d
Ferran TorresSpainCosta Rica22y 268

Who are the youngest players in World Cup history?

The World Cup has provided a starting point for some iconic names in footballing history with tournaments offering the chance to announce emerging talent on the biggest platform.

Five players have featured in a World Cup before their 18th birthday, with Brazilian hero Pele on the list following his incredible showing en route to the Samba Boys winning the 1958 World Cup.

World Cup 2022 has already seen a changing of the guard inside the Top Ten with Gavi again appearing, alongside Garang Kuol and Youssoufa Moukoko, for Australia and Germany, respectively.

Youngest Players at a World Cup
PlayerCountryTournamentAge

Norman Whiteside

Northern IrelandWorld Cup 198217y 40d

Samuel Eto'o

CameroonWorld Cup 199817y 98d

Femi Opabunmi

NigeriaWorld Cup 200217y 100d

Salomon Olembe

CameroonWorld Cup 199817y 184d

Pele

BrazilWorld Cup 195817y 234d
Bartholomew OgbecheNigeriaWorld Cup 200217y 244d
Rigobert SongCameroonWorld Cup 199417y 353d
Youssoufa MoukokoGermanyWorld Cup 202218y 3d
Garang KuolAustraliaWorld Cup 202218y 69d
GaviSpainWorld Cup 202218y 110d

Who will be the youngest players at World Cup 2022?

Spain and Germany are among the major nations placing their faith in youth for the tournament with Gavi and Moukoko the two standout examples.

Enrique also called up Gavi's Barcelona teammates Pedri and Ansu Fati , plus teenage defender Alejandro Balde, following Jose Gaya's injury.

Germany have the youngest player at the tournament after Hansi Flick called up Borussia Dortmund forward Moukoko. 

Youngest Players at World Cup 2022
PlayerCountryClubAge (as of Nov.20, 2022)
Youssoufa MoukokoGermanyBorussia Dortmund (GER)18y 
Garang KuolAustraliaCentral Coast Mariners (AUS)18y 66d
GaviSpainBarcelona (SPA)18y 107d
Jewison BenetteCosta RicaSunderland (ENG)18y 158d
Abdul Fatawu IssahakuGhanaSporting Lisbon (POR)18y 257d
Antonio SilvaPortugalBenfica (POR)19y 51d
Bilel El KhanoussMoroccoGenk (BEL)18y 187d
Zeno DebastBelgiumAnderlecht (BEL)19y 27d
Alejandro BaldeSpainBarcelona (SPA)197 32d
Jude BellinghamEngland Borussia Dortmund (GER)19y 144d
Brandon Aguilera Costa RicaNottingham Forest (ENG)19y 145d
Xavi SimonsNetherlandsPSV (NED)19y  213d