Ecuadorian striker Kendry Páez became the youngest Copa America player in the 21st century by converting a penalty at just 17 years and 53 days, giving ‘La Tri’ the lead against Jamaica in Las Vegas.
Last Saturday, against Venezuela, Páez became the Copa America’s young player of the century, and now he is adding a new record to his youth career. Independiente player del Valle wins a left-footed penalty during extra time of the first half of the game against Ecuador at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Páez took advantage of the first penalty of the competition, which has given 19 goals. It surpassed the record of Costa Rican Joel Campbell, who scored during the 2011 Copa America at 19 years and 12 days, according to data from the exclusive platform Besoccer.
The talented left-handed attacking midfielder broke the record of Paraguayan Julio Enciso, who had previously set it in 2021 at 17 years and 143 days, during a match in Santa Clara, California against Venezuela.
In addition, Páez is the first player in the history of the Ecuadorian national team, surpassing legends such as Felipe Caicedo (18 years and 296 days in the 2007 game).
The youngest player in Copa America history is Colombia’s Johnnier Montaño, who was 16 years, 5 months and 17 days old.
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