THE YOUNG ONES

Every World Cup throws up a few surprises and brings to the fore some precocious talents

- Marcus Mergulhao

Think of Pele as a 17-year-old, scoring a stunning hat-trick against France in the 1958 semifinals, or against Sweden in the final, when the magician with the ball at his feet provided the most exquisite finish ever seen in a World Cup final. Michael Owen's finest hour as a footballer came at the 1998 World Cup against Argentina in the pre-quarterfinals. Who can forget the 18-year-old's solo run and finish that made him the most exciting English footballer? Then there's Kylian Mbappe, who grabbed attention with a mesmerising show in Russia four years ago, six months shy of age 20, as France put it across Croatia to triumph in style.