Spain's Gavi is youngest to start a World Cup knockout tie since Pele

Spain's Gavi is youngest to start a World Cup knockout tie since Pele

| Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

The Barcelona midfielder could not help La Roja avoid a disappointing defeat

Since his arrival in elite football, Gavi has not stopped breaking records with both FC Barcelona and the Spanish team. On Tuesday, against Morocco in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, the midfielder became the youngest to start in a knockout game at the competition since Pele.

At 18 days and 123 days old, the Barcelona midfielder became the youngest player to start a World Cup knockout phase match since Pele in the 1958 World Cup final, played in Sweden. On June 29, the day of the grand final, 'O Rei' celebrated two goals that helped Brazil overcome the hosts and embroider the first star on their 'verdeamarela' shirt.

Gavi will not get the chance to be so decisive after Spain were knocked out on penalties by Morocco. Be that as it may, the youngster has once again shown that he is in the small and select group who continue to make history. It should be remembered that, in the 7-0 defeat against Costa Rica, Gavi already became the youngest player to score a goal in a World Cup since Pele 1958, too.

Topics with the letter