Kendry Páez, signed by Chelsea, scored his first goal of the 2024 Copa América with a penalty after a VAR review. In addition, the teenager made history when Ecuador beat Jamaica 3-1 on Wednesday evening at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Following a 2-1 loss to Venezuela, Páez and his teammates need a win to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive. Páez is the jewel of Ecuadorian football, and his debut in the game made Copa América history.
OptaJorge confirmed on Twitter that Ecuador’s Páez becomes the first player aged 18 or under to start multiple games within the same Copa América program since Japan’s Takefusa Kubo in 2019 (starting in two games).
18 – Kendry Páez ?? es el primer jugador de 18 años o menos en ser titular en multiple parties de misma edición de CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica from Takefusa Kubo con Japón in 2019 (2PJ as titular). Potencia. pic.twitter.com/4yuglYM3Tu
– OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 26, 2024
Additionally, at 17 years and 54 days old, Páez became the youngest footballer to score in the Copa América in the 21st century. He has held this record since Johnnier Montaño, who scored against Argentina in 1999 at the age of 16 years and 171 days.
17 – Con 17 años y 54 días, Kendry Páez ?? he is the youngest footballer to score in the CONMEBOL Copa America in the XXI century and the youngest in the competition since Johnnier Montaño, who scored against Argentina in 1999 at 16 years and 171 days. Huella. pic.twitter.com/s04SjFkg2V
– OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 26, 2024
Ecuador escaped the thriller and will now need to focus on Mexico to see if they can get out of the group stage.
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