Barcelona wonderkid Gavi is now Spain’s youngest goalscorer of all-time at the World Cup after helping to thrash Costa Rica 7-0. He is also the third-youngest ever on the FIFA stage.
La Roja got their Group E campaign off to the perfect start at Al Thumama Stadium as Luis Enrique’s men walked to a resounding result. It took the 2010 champions just 11 minutes to break the deadlock through Dani Olmo. Marco Asensio then added a second in the 21st.
A 31st-minute penalty by Ferran Torres for the forward’s first of two effectively put the tie to bed. But Gavi struck the best of the bench to make it 5-0 after 74 minutes as he scored an outstanding volley with the outside of his boot past Keylor Navas from the edge of the box.
Carlos Soler would add a sixth in the first minute of stoppage time after Navas only palmed Nico Williams’ cross. Then Alvaro Morata finished the job to top Group E in the 92nd as the striker found the bottom corner. He had already recorded one assist after crossing to Gavi.
Gavi hit the record books as Spain’s youngest-ever player at the World Cup
Gavi hit the World Cup record books just by taking to the pitch in Spain’s starting line-up against Costa Rica. At 18 years and 110 days, he is the youngest player to ever feature for La Roja at the tournament. FIFA also notes that he is now the third-youngest ever to score.
Finding the corner of Navas’ net via the post saw Gavi join the World Cup’s all-time list of youngest goalscorers. Only Mexico ace Manuel Rosas (18 years, 93 days) and Brazil legend Pele (17 years, 239 days) scored whilst younger. They hit their first goals in 1930 and 1958.
Naturally, then, Gavi is now Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the World Cup after hitting home against Costa Rica. So, HITC Football has looked at the players he has overtaken…
Gavi becomes Spain’s all-time youngest World Cup goalscorer at 18
Despite Gavi only turning 18 on August 5, Enrique wholeheartedly trusts the Seville native with a key role for Spain. The Barcelona midfielder debuted against Italy at 17 years and 62 days in October 2021. He has since started 11 of 14 caps in 14 games and has three goals.
Gavi repaid Enrique’s trust when he ran onto Morata’s cross to find the bottom corner of Navas’ net on Wednesday. The teenager had previously scored in a UEFA Nations League tie with the Czech Republic in June. He also netted in a friendly with Jordan this month.
Raul became Spain’s youngest World Cup goalscorer in 1998
Gavi has overtaken Raul to be Spain’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer so far. The Real Madrid icon had held the record since 1998 when he scored against Nigeria. But the 102-cap hero’s effort could not prevent Javier Clemente’s side from losing the Group D tie 3-2.
Raul was 20 years and 351 days old when he met Fernando Hierro’s pass at the Stade de la Beaujoire. It put Spain 2-1 in front after 47 minutes before conceding in the 73rd and 78th.
Pirri sat atop La Roja’s record list for 32 years before Raul scored
Pirri sat atop La Roja’s record list for 32 years before fellow Real Madrid icon Raul replaced the 41-cap star. The Ceuta-born midfielder became Spain’s youngest World Cup goalscorer at the time in 1966. He scored in a 2-1 Group 2 loss to Argentina at 21 years and 123 days.
Olaya joined the list in 1986 but never topped the Roja tree on the FIFA stage
Eloy Olaya joined Spain’s list of youngest World Cup goalscorers in 1986 but the Sporting Gijon icon never topped it. The forward scored off the bench against Algeria in a Group D tie at 21 years and 331 days old. He never scored at the World Cup again after Mexico 1986.
Langara held the record for 32 years after scoring on Spain’s World Cup debut
Isidro Langara held the record as Spain’s youngest World Cup goalscorer for 32 years. The Real Oviedo hero hit the net to help beat Brazil 3-1 in the Round of 16 in 1934. He was just 22 years and two days old come the knockout stage tie on Spain’s debut at the World Cup.
Torres took his place among Spain’s record-setters at Germany 2006
Fernando Torres took his place among Spain’s record-setters at Germany 2006 when the striker scored against Ukraine. The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star hit the net to make it 4-0 at 22 years and 85 days. He scored 38 times over his 110 Roja caps.
Adelardo scored a rare goal for Spain in a defeat to Brazil at Chile 1962
Adelardo only ever scored twice for Spain across the Atletico Madrid legend’s 14 caps in all competitions. Yet the midfielder joined La Roja’s record men at Chile 1962 when he scored against Brazil. But his deadlock-breaker at 22 years and 254 days did not stop a 2-1 loss.
Gavi pushes Guardiola further down the pecking order on the FIFA stage
Gavi scoring at just 18 years and 110 days now pushes Pep Guardiola further down Spain’s list of youngest goalscorers at the World Cup. The Manchester City manager scored one of his five goals over 47 caps at USA 1994 at 23 years and 161 days to help beat Bolivia 3-1.
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