Scoring in a World Cup is an amazing accomplishment and doing so at an old age proves that the player is still skillful, fit and experienced. Here we look into some of the oldest players to have scored in a football world cup tournament as a way of appreciating their contributions to the history of this tournament and the lasting impacts on soccer.
Roger Milla – Cameroon (1994)
The oldest scorer ever in FIFA World Cup history was Roger Milla who made his record at 42 years, 39 days when he scored for Cameroon against Russia in the group stage match during USA 94 World Cup. This goal was evidence of his timelessness as well as passion for soccer, which was characterized by him performing various spin moves after scoring.
Gunnar Gren – Sweden (1958)
At 37 years, 236 days old during the 1958 World Cup, Gunnar Gren netted on behalf of Sweden. In particular, Gren’s goal came during a semi-final match with West Germany where it would help Sweden make it to the final. For Sweden’s successful bid on home soil his experience and leadership were crucial.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco – México (2010)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s goal against France in a group stage match during South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup made him score at an age of 37 years old, being one hundred fifty one days old while playing for Mexico versus France in world cup finals held on South African soil. Blanco kept calmness and gracefulness when taking penalty kicks from penalty spot making it possible for Mexico to go through knockout stages.
Felipe Baloy – Panama (2018)
Felipe Baloy became the oldest player to score a goal at any FIFA World Cup game by netting Trinidad Tobago’s only consolation goal that made Trinidad draw with England after they lost all their previous matches while participating in Russia 2018 World Cup. Felipe was 37 years, and he had spent 120 days on this earth when the tournament came to Russia in that year. The goal was scored at the stage of group matches against the English national team; it was the first and the last goal for Panama in a world cup competition unlike other African teams which managed to perform better.
Martin Palermo – Argentina (2010)
Martin Palermo’s performance included him scoring against Greece and his age at that moment was thirty-six years as well as two hundred and twenty-seven days old in South Africa during 2010 FIFA world cup. This strike helped Argentina earn three points, ensuring their progression into next round of play-off matches like Nigeria or England did later on in this eventful tourney whose highest goal scorer became Thomas Muller from Germany.
Obdulio Varela – Uruguay (1954)
Obdulio Varela was also able to get his name on the scoresheet when he converted a penalty during Uruguay’s match against Scotland played during Switzerland’s 1954 World Cup held there between June and July, an occurrence that happened when Obdulio Varela who is Uruguay made history by scoring one of those spot-kicks showing how good he has been all through his career even though he is now aged 36 years with additional seventy-nine decades on earth than they have.
Ivica Vastić – Austria (2008)
Ivica Vastic became one of the oldest goalscorers in major international tournaments after netting for Australia from the penalty kick spot during their match versus Poland in UEFA EURO 2008 hosted jointly by Austria & Switzerland while this player played for his country at such big tournament being aged thirty-eight years, taking more than seven months to reach its end since its start until final whistle blew.
Tom Finney – England (1958)
Tom Finney was 36 years and 182 days old when he scored in England’s group stage match against the Soviet Union at the 1958 World Cup. His skillfulness and intelligence of football are well known, thus it is not surprising that he made a significant contribution to the English campaign for the world cup.
Dennis Bergkamp – Netherlands (2002)
Dennis Bergkamp was thirty-three years and two hundred sixty-seven days old when he scored against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup for the Dutch team. His goal came during a group stage match against Argentina, showing his finesse and calmness. The performance of this Dutch team was determined through his wealth of experience and creativity.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal (2018)
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers to have graced the game, was thirty-three years, one hundred thirty days old when he scored three goals for Portugal in the 2018 World Cup against Spain. His exceptional sporting condition as well as technical mastery and scoring ability are still at their highest level even in his thirties.
These football players show us how exceptional skill, fitness and determination can get them scoring in a World Cup at an older age than most other players. These contributions by these players within their respective teams and also within the history of this tournament have been celebrated by followers from across continents.
Reddy Anna is an interesting outlet to go for if you love football and want more engagement with it. Reddy Anna is all about Reddy Anna Sports Betting or being updated on latest matches and player statistics thus offering extensive coverage to fans as well as thrill to indulge in them.
The legacy of these veteran goal scorers will continue to inspire as new talents emerge challenging records set before them. So if you are passionate about staying connected with action, having a Reddy Anna ID can enhance your experience that brings you closer to the amazing world of football and its spectacles.