Ecuador's Kendry Paez becomes youngest player to score in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier

Kendry Paez will join Chelsea in 2025

The 16-year-old Ecuadorian sensation Kendry Paez gave his team the lead against Bolivia in La Paz in the 45th minute to become the youngest player to record a goal in a Conmebol World Cup qualifier.

Rodrigo Ramallo's excellent shot on the corner pulled Bolivia even before a defensive blunder allowed Ecuador's Kevin Rodriguez to score the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of final time, leaving Bolivia without a point.

Chile defeated Peru 2-0 thanks to goals from Diego Valdes and Marcos Lopez in the second half. With four points, Chile is now tied with Uruguay and Venezuela for fifth position. With a single point, Paraguay and Peru are now below the qualification spots.

Páez became just a few days older than Ebrima Ebou Sillah, a Gambian football player, who netted against Liberia in 1996 at the age of 16 and 50 days, missing out on earning the youngest player in any match.

Following his goal from 1989, the Paraguayan Gustavo Neffa (17 years and 235 days) who had previously topped the chart fell to the young Ecuadorian. Following them on the list in 2003 were the Bolivian José Castillo (18 years and 278 days) and the Peruvian Jefferson Farfán (18 years and 315 days).

“The truth is that I am very happy, first of all because of the fans who came to cheer us on and for me it is a privilege to score a goal with the National Team”.

“It’s not a big deal, but the truth is we all suffered a little, we knew how to maintain the result and in the end it was difficult for us due to fatigue and the altitude. Now to think about Colombia and continue training because we have not won anything“said the IDV midfielder.

Even though Páez has only played two games with Ecuador's national team, it feels like he has known his teammates for a very long time.

Spanish-speaking Félix Sánchez, the coach of Ecuador, complimented midfielder Kendry Páez, 16, for his efforts after he scored the game-winning goal just before the end of the first half.