Scoring in a FIFA World Cup is what a footballer dreams of, but netting the ball in the finals is the greatest achievement in football. When the pressure is huge, the world is watching, and the match decides the champion. Very few players have done it at a young age. Here are the top 5 youngest players to score in a World Cup final, based on their age at the time of the goal.
Let’s dive into this story and find out about the top five youngsters who have scored a goal in a World Cup final
Youngest players to score a goal in a World Cup final
1. Pelé (Brazil – 1958) – 17 years and 249 days
Football legend Pelé holds the record as the youngest player to score in a World Cup final. In the FIFA World Cup 1958, Brazil faced host nation Sweden in the final at Råsunda Stadium. The 17-year-old came into the match already a star after his impressive performance in the earlier rounds. He opened Brazil’s account in the 55th minute with a brilliant chest control and volley, then scored another goal with a header. Brazil won 5-2 and claimed their maiden World Cup title. Pele remains the only player under 18 to score in a final, a record unlikely to be broken.
2. Kylian Mbappé (France – 2018) – 19 years and 207 days
Kylian Mbappé ranks second on the list of youngest players to score a goal in World Cup finals. He became the second teenager to score in a World Cup final when France met Croatia at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Moscow. At 19, he collected a pass from Lucas Hernandez and fired a powerful shot from outside the box in the 65th minute, making it 4-1. France won 4-2, and Mbappé’s goal capped a breakout tournament where he scored four times total.
3. Carlos Peucelle (Argentina – 1930) – 21 years and 320 days
Carlos Peucelle scored Argentina’s first goal in the 1930 FIFA World Cup 1930 final against hosts Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. The young right winger found the net in the 20th minute to level the score at 1-1 in what became a 4-2 defeat for Argentina. Peucelle played an impactful role for Argentina throughout the tournament, contributing three goals overall. His strike in the final highlighted his skill as an attacking midfielder during the inaugural World Cup.
4. Wolfgang Weber (West Germany – 1966) – 22 years and 34 days
Wolfgang Weber, a central defender, scored a dramatic last-minute equalizer for West Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final against England at Wembley Stadium. With the score 2-1 to England in the 89th minute, Weber scored a goal to make it 2-2 and force extra time. England ultimately won 4-2 after extra time. Weber’s goal remains one of the most memorable in World Cup final history, showcasing composure under immense pressure in a highly controversial match.
5. Mario Götze (Germany – 2014) – 22 years and 40 days
Mario Götze came off the bench to score the winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In the 113th minute of extra time, he controlled a cross from André Schürrle on his chest and volleyed it past goalkeeper Sergio Romero with his left foot, securing a 1-0 victory for Germany. The goal made Götze the first substitute to score a World Cup final winner and cemented his place in German football lore.
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