18-year-old Spain midfielder Gavi becomes third-youngest goal scorer in World Cup history
Qatar: Pablo Paez Gavira, the 18-year-and-110-days-old Spain midfielder became the third-youngest goal scorer in World Cup history with his 74th-minute strike securing a 7-0 win against Costa Rica on Wednesday at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
Barcelona prodigy Gavi, who also became the youngest player to appear for Spain in a major international tournament (World Cup or European Championship), spoke through an interpreter and said, "I never dreamed to be here at this age. I'm so happy to be here. This is only one step. I need to keep going."
Brazil legend Pele, who holds the record for the youngest to score in a World Cup was aged 17 years, and 249 days when he scored in Brazil's 1958 World Cup final win over Sweden. Mexico's Manuel Rosas is the second-youngest scorer, aged 18 years and 93 days when he scored during the inaugural 1930 tournament.
Spain vs Costa Rica Highlights
Spain led 4-0 when a driving run from Alejandro Balde pierced the Costa Rica defense and after goalkeeper Keylor Navas' partial clearance, Alvaro Morata found Gavi on a late-arriving run.
In what can be determined as one of the most impressive displays of skill in the tournament so far, the teenage midfielder struck it with the outside of his right boot as it deflected in off the right post.
In this historically dominant win for Spain, the Spanish team didn't allow a single shot and recorded the most passes (1,043) and highest possession percentage (81.3) in a World Cup match since at least 1966. The decisive march towards football victory in this match was largely dictated by a midfield featuring two teenagers, with Gavi's Barcelona teammate Pedri starting next to him in front of Sergio Busquets.
Spain coach Luis Enrique said, “We controlled the game throughout, which was our first objective. We were exceptional in possession of the ball, exceptional in our finishing”, he beamed.
Gavi who won FIFA's player of the match award said, “It was a great game. We started from the first minute to win this game and I'm really happy. Now I'm waiting for the next one. I'm really happy to win MVP but today we all did a really great game and I'm really happy for all of them.”
"I know I'm the youngest in the team and I respect everyone, but on the field it's different and I bring out my best. I'm proud to be on that podium. All 16 players were excellent but we still have room to improve. I don't know who will play [against Germany on Sunday]. I don't think I've ever repeated a starting 11”, he expressed.
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Body of Bihar Police personnel found hanging in barracks in Patna
Patna (PTI): The body of a Bihar Police personnel was found hanging from the ceiling of a room in his barracks here, a senior officer said on Sunday.
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Sharma said a havildar with Bihar State Armed Police-1, popularly known as "Gorkha battalion", died allegedly by suicide as he had been suffering from some ailment.
The deceased left behind "two suicide notes", one in Hindi and the other in his native language Nepali.
"From the suicide notes, it appears that Navraj Sunar, the deceased havildar, had been suffering from some ailment which had caused him much mental anguish and may have driven him to take the extreme step," the SSP said.
The body was being sent to the native village of the deceased in Nepal after a post-mortem examination, while further investigations were on, with forensic experts inspecting the site of the incident.
