06/17/26 09:20:00
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06/17 21:18 CDT A look at how World Cup stars young and old are faring after
first week
A look at how World Cup stars young and old are faring after first week
By The Associated Press
Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper has become a star at this World Cup, and a
Senegal teenager scored in his tournament debut.
Here's a look at some of the oldest and youngest players as the 48-team
tournament enters its second week.
Elder statesmen
No better place to begin than the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal
star will be disappointed to not have found the back of the net in a 1-1 draw
with Congo on Wednesday. FIFA said Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to
start a World Cup match.
Luka Modric, 40, led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final but got off to a rough
start against England on Wednesday, when his foul led to Harry Kane's penalty
goal. The midfield great was subbed off before the hour mark in a 4-2 loss.
There are several 40-year-old goalkeepers on World Cup rosters. Manuel Neuer of
Germany might be the best known of the bunch, but Cape Verde's Vozinha has
joined the chat. The unheralded goalkeeper played a big role in holding Spain
to a 0-0 draw. His mom hopes to be at their next match --- Sunday against
Uruguay in Miami.
Lionel Messi is a sprightly 38 --- he turns 39 next week --- and dazzled in
Argentina's opener by scoring a hat trick against Algeria.
Young guns
Mexico teenager Gilberto Mora got a big cheer from the home fans when he
entered as a substitute in the second half of El Tri's 2-0 victory over South
Africa. The 17-year-old midfielder, the youngest player on the World Cup
rosters, plays for Tijuana in Liga MX and is being tracked by several top
European clubs. Mexico faces South Korea on Thursday in Guadalajara.
Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye made an immediate impact in his World Cup debut.
The 18-year-old French-born Mbaye came on in the 75th minute against France and
scored in stoppage time of their 3-1 loss to Kylian Mbapp and company. Senegal
will play Norway on Monday.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, stood out in the midfield for Morocco in its 1-1 draw with
Brazil. The teenager played for France at youth level but switched to Morocco
just in time for the World Cup.
Egypt forward Hamza Abdelkarim, 18, came on as sub in 1-1 draw with Belgium,
replacing star Mohamed Salah in 76th minute.
The biggest of the young guns is Spain's Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 next month.
He only recently returned from a hamstring injury and was pressed into action
as a sub in Spain's draw with Cape Verde.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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