The greatest promise of European football


Ahen it came down to it, before the eyes and ears of this footballing world, young Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, known as Gavi, demonstrated his historical knowledge. “Pelé,” he blurted out. Shortly before, he had been asked which goalscorer was younger at a World Cup. It’s only partially Gavi’s fault that the answer wasn’t quite complete. The question was also misleading, specifically it should have been which goalscorers were younger than him. Finally, there is the Mexican Manuel Rosas, a boy of 18 years and 93 days. In 1930, at the very first World Cup in Uruguay, he screamed at the goal. So be it, a long time ago.

Gavi’s entry into history was of such sublime beauty that it didn’t matter whether he was the second or third-oldest goalscorer and that he was ‘already’ 18 years and 110 days when he scored against Costa Rica on Wednesday night. The goal came like this: Cross from the left, Alvaro Morata brings the ball in, Gavi comes running at full speed from the background and shoots it volley, directly and with the outside of his foot into the goal. A small work of art, suitable for the occasion.



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