Gavi's goal in the 7-0 hammering that Spain handed out to Costa Rica in their FIFA World Cup opener on Wednesday has made the Spanish midfielder the youngest scorer in the showpiece event since Brazil legend Pele.
The 18-year-old Gavi broke the Spanish record set by compatriot Cesc Fabregas, who was 19 when he put the ball in the back of the net in the 2006 World Cup game against Ukraine.
Gavi scored Spain's fifth goal in the 7-0 win over Costa Rica. In November 2021, the midfielder became the youngest to play for Spain and is also the youngest Spaniard to score an international goal.
Pele, however, remains the youngest World Cup scorer, with his six-goal run as a 17-year-old during Brazil's maiden World Cup title in 1958.
"Of course, it's an honour to be second in this list (after Pele) and it's something that makes me really happy," Gavi said at the post-match press conference.
"I'm happy for the accomplishments but what I really care (about) is that we won and played a great game, let's move forward," he added.
The big win on Wednesday also took Spain past the 100-goal mark in FIFA World Cups.
(With agency inputs)
