Kuol became the youngest player to feature in the World Cup’s knockout stage

The Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol became the youngest player to play in the World Cup's knockout stage since the Brazilian legend and came very close to becoming the youngest player to score since him in 1958, as Pele was receiving medical attention on the other side of the globe.

Kuol, an 18-year-old who has dominated the Australian game this season and will formally sign with English Premier League team Newcastle United next month, says it has been an eye-opening experience. He was the lone attacker in Graham Arnold's Socceroos squad and, according to many, was the player the coach would turn to first if he needed a spark off the bench. He was yet to make his senior league debut. Despite playing beside Messi and Mbappe on the largest platform in sports, Kuol has never come off as intimidated throughout his brief career.