Five youngsters who have impressed at the 2022 World Cup
Like any other FIFA World Cup, the 2022 edition hosted in Qatar has shown several youngsters upping their game and performing to their greatest level on the field of play at the biggest stage.
FARPost writer Otis Ntshangase looks at five youngsters who have impressed so far in Qatar and have caught the eyes of football fans across the globe.
These youngsters are Cody Gakpo, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Josko Gvardiol and Enzo Fernandez.
All the players mentioned above have made it to the quarterfinals of the global showpiece with their respective nations.
CODY GAKPO [NETHERLANDS]
The 23-year-old has been impressive for the Dutch so far at the World elite football competition.
The PSV Eindhoven forward is the Netherlands top scorer at the competition with three goals from four matches.
Gakpo helped his side finish top of Group A unbeaten with two wins and a draw.
JUDE BELLINGHAM [ENGLAND]
The highly-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been a key player for the Three Lions during the competition, bossing the midfield.
The 19-year-old has been consistent in all the four matches he has played and has netted one goal and bagged two assists.
Bellingham will be raring to go in the quarterfinals against France on Saturday.
BUKAYO SAKA [ENGLAND]
The 19-year-old has been superb for England in the final third so far in the World Cup.
The Arsenal forward has three goals to his name from four matches as well.
He put in a good shift when England beat Senegal to book a spot in the last eight, scoring a goal.
JOSKO GVARDIOL [CROATIA]
The 20-year-old defender has been a rock for Croatia at the back, as the team has only conceded two goals so far in Qatar.
The Red Bull Leipzig centre back hasn’t missed a single minute of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after playing 390 minutes.
Gvardiol is part of the Croatia solid defence that has kept two clean sheets against Morocco and Belgium.
ENZO FERNANDEZ [ARGENTINA]
The Benfica youngster has been formidable for the South Americans in the middle of the field when ever given an opportunity to play.
The 21-year-old has four appearances in the World Cup coming thrice as a substitute and starting the last match against Australia in the Round of 16.
He has scored one goal and provided one assist.
Meanwhile, Goncalo Ramos of Portugal is worth mentioning as the striker scored a hat-trick in his nation’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16.
The 21-year-old started ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and became the first player to net a hat-trick on his first start in a World Cup game since Miroslav Klose 20 years ago.
Ramos is also the youngest player to score three goals in a World Cup tie since Florian Albert for Hungary in 1962.
RELATED STORY: Morocco setup World Cup quarter final date with Portugal