Top three youngest players to score twice in EFL Cup final ft. Nico O'Reilly
(Courtesy : Getty)
O’Reilly makes history with City after inspiring them to the EFL Cup trophy.
Footballers dream of playing in a cup final, let alone scoring in one. But then there are some who go on to score a brace in cup finals.
One such player who made headlines is Nico O’Reilly, whose brace helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the 2025-26 EFL Cup final, as they lifted their ninth EFL trophy in their history. It was one of the greatest moments for the youngster who will remember it for years to come.
However, in scoring a brace, O’Reilly joined a list that consists only of a handful of players as one of the youngest players to score twice in an EFL Cup final.
The top three youngest players to score twice in an EFL Cup final
| Rank | Name | Club | Opponent | Age | Match Year |
| 1 | Wayne Rooney | Manchester United | Wigan Athletic | 20Y 125D | 2006 |
| 2 | Ronnie Whelan | Liverpool | Tottenham Hotspur | 20Y 169D | 1982 |
| 3 | Nico O’Reilly | Manchester City | Arsenal | 21Y 1D | 2026 |
3. Nico O’Reilly: 21Y 1D (2026)
When Manchester City wanted a hero to step up, Nico O’Reilly showed up on the big stage. He stooped on the goalline to head in after Kepa Arrizabalaga mishandled the ball into his path, making his first finish the simplest goal he is likely to score in his career.
Four minutes later, a magnificent header from Matheus Nunes’ cross sealed the victory and put O’Reilly’s name in the record books.
2. Ronnie Whelan: 20Y 169D (1982)
Irish professional football player Ronnie Whelan was a midfielder and occasionally a defender. He was a key member of the great Liverpool team that won numerous trophies in the 1980s.
In the 1982 Football League Cup final, Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 thanks to a memorable brace from Ronnie Whelan. He scored a late equaliser in normal time and added a second in extra time, making him one of the youngest players to score twice in a League Cup final at the age of 20 years and 169 days at that time.
1. Wayne Rooney: 20Y 125D (2006)
In the 2006 League Cup (EFL Cup) final, Wayne Rooney memorably scored two goals to help Manchester United defeat Wigan Athletic 4-0. He still holds the record of the youngest player to score twice in a League Cup final at the age of 20 years and 125 days. This accomplishment is often emphasised by contemporary comparisons, such as after the 2026 final.
At the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Rooney was also awarded the Alan Hardaker Trophy for player of the match after scoring his first goal in the 33rd minute and his second in the 61st.
Against which opponents did Rooney score in the EFL Cup final?
He scored against Wigan Athletic.
Against which opponents did Ronnie Whelan score in the EFL Cup final?
He scored against Tottenham Hotspur
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.