Gavi, Messi, Pele and the youngest goalscorers in World Cup history

Age: 19 years, 25 days

Scored against: Belgium

Green's goal in Brazil made him the youngest American to score in World Cup history and came against a team who many tipped as the tournament favourites. Before that, though, he had represented Germany at youth level.

Germany would win the lot in Brazil, but Green could well have not been there at all had he pledged his allegiance to Die Mannschaft. Swings and roundabouts. Green last played for the USMNT in 2018.

Age: 18 years, 357 days

Scored against: Serbia and Montenegro

Putting the finishing touches on a 6-0 rout of Serbia and Montenegro, Messi announced himself at his first World Cup with a goal from the substitute's bench.

Considering his senior international debut saw him sent off from the bench, this was a much more promising effort. He's done alright since then.

Age: 18 years, 231 days

Scored against: Belgium

It couldn't stop Russia from crashing out of the group stage in Japan and South Korea, but Sychev's goal against Belgium cannot be taken away from him.

He was once dubbed the 'Russian Michael Owen' - for his pace, not his incredible and prolific beginnings in the game.

Age: 18 years, 197 days

Scored against: Peru

Kovacs turned out for Romania at the following 1934 and 1938 tournaments, but this would be the only goal he scored at a World Cup.

If you're only going to bag once in three tournaments, at least make it a memorable one, right?

Age: 18 years, 190 days

Scored against: Romania

Michael Owen, the early years. That was something special.

Bursting onto the scene and becoming Liverpool's youngest scorer a year earlier, the teenage forward announced himself at the World Cup in France off the back of a Golden Boot-winning Premier League season.

Age: 18 years, 110 days

Scored against: Costa Rica

The 2022 Golden Boy winner got his maiden World Cup campaign off to a perfect start, playing an instrumental role in Spain's 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica and helping himself to a goal in stunning fashion, volleying in off the post.

Remember the name.

Age: 18 years, 93 days

Scored against: Argentina

It's rather astounding to think that a goal scored almost a century ago is still standing as a record strike.

Rosas, a defender, actually scored twice in a 6-3 defeat and also holds the record of being the first person to score an own goal in World Cup history.

Age: 17 years, 239 days

Scored against: Wales

The tournament that made Pele. A teenager who showed up and took on the world, leading Brazil to glory with a style of play that was lightyears ahead of its time. The player who eventually eclipses this record is going to be some talent.