Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ibrahim Mbaye made history during Senegal's 3-1 defeat to France in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
Introduced in the 75th minute as a substitute for Ismaïla Sarr, Mbaye reduced the deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-1.
By doing so, he became the youngest African player to score at the World Cup, aged 18 years and 143 days, surpassing the previous record held by compatriot Moussa Wagué.
The former Senegal international was 19 years, eight months and 20 days old when he scored in a 2-2 draw against Japan at the 2018 tournament.
Only three players have scored at a younger age than Mbaye at the World Cup, with Pelé (17 years and 239 days), Manuel Rosas (18 years and 93 days), and Gavi (18 years and 110 days) the only players ahead of him.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk forward Julius Aghahowa is the youngest Nigerian to score in World Cup history, having found the net in the Super Eagles' 2-1 defeat to Sweden on June 7, 2002, at the age of 20 years and 115 days.
Other retired Nigeria internationals who scored at the World Cup before turning 24 include Daniel Amokachi, Wilson Oruma, Ahmed Musa, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke and Sunday Oliseh.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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