Football
Champions League Semi-Finals: Five Youngest Scorers in History
Sushan Chakraborty has been writing professionally since debuting with 90min in 2017. He has since typed out thousands of articles, learning the trade from some of the smartest minds in the business. Now at Sportscasting, he is striving to whip up his best articles yet.
Get to know Sushan Chakraborty betterPublished05 May 2025
The UEFA Champions League is arguably the toughest knockout cup competition in Europe. Every year, the best of the best compete for the elusive trophy, delivering unforgettable performances to pull their teams closer to glory. **
In the piece below, SportsCasting takes a look at five footballers who understood the assignment right away and popped up with performances beyond their years. Here are the five youngest scorers in Champions League history:
#5 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax): 19 Years 269 Days
Kicking off the list is former Ajax and current Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt, who scored in the Champions League semi-finals at the age of 19 years and 269 days. De Ligt hit the back of the net in the 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.
It was De Ligt’s second goal of the 2018-19 season. The Dutchman also scored in Ajax’s commendable 2-1 win over Juventus in the quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Stadium.
So far, De Ligt has played 42 UCL matches across Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, scoring two times and claiming an assist.
#4 Nordin Wooter (Ajax): 19 Years 237 Days
Scoring in the Champions League semi-finals at the age of 19 years and 237 days, former Ajax man Nordin Wooter has claimed the fourth spot on the list. Wooter, who primarily played as a right winger, punished Panathinaikos in the second leg. He scored a fine goal in the 1995-95 Champions League semi-final second leg to propel Ajax to a 3-0 win on the night (3-1 on aggregate).
Interestingly, Wooter only scored one more Champions League goal before hanging up his boots. His second and final UCL strike came in Ajax’s 4-1 win over Rangers in the group stage of the 1996-97 Champions League season.
Also Read: How to Watch PSG vs Arsenal – Champions League Semi-Final Second-Leg
#3 Obafemi Martins (Inter Milan): 18 Years 197 Days
In the 2002-03 season, Inter Milan man Obafemi Martins hit the back of the net in the Champions League semi-final clash with AC Milan. Aged 18 years and 197 days at the time, Martins became the youngest player to score at that penultimate stage of the European competition. His goal saw Inter hold Milan at 1-1, but the Rossoneri qualified for the final due to the away goals rule.
Martins, who plied his trade as a centre forward, played 34 games in the competition, scoring 9 goals and providing a couple of assists. All of his 9 goals came for the Nerazzurri (25 games).
#2 Kylian Mbappe (AS Monaco): 18 Years 140 Days
One of the best players of the 21st century, Kylian Mbappe, became the youngest goalscorer in the Champions League semi-final in 2017, scoring against Juventus at the age of 18 years and 140 days. Monaco lost the second leg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena, but Mbappe’s spirited showing made headlines.
Mbappe moved to Paris Saint-Germain and established himself as one of the best forwards in Europe. Now, at Real Madrid, the Frenchman is pushing hard to reach the apex of his abilities.
Mbappe, 26, has played 87 Champions League games so far, scoring 55 goals and providing 27 assists. He has yet to win the elusive Big Old Ears.
#1 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): 17 Years 291 Days
Barcelona wunderkind Lamine Yamal made history in the 2024-25 Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan on April 30, 2025. By scoring Barca’s first goal in the 24th minute, the Spaniard became the youngest goalscorer in the history of Champions League semi-finals. He was just 17 years and 291 days old at the time.
Yamal’s perfectly placed goal proved crucial for Barcelona, as it spurred them on to make a comeback. The Blaugrana could not win the game, but held the Nerazzurri to a 3-3 draw.
The right winger has so far played 22 games for the Blaugrana in the Champions League, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists.