Alphonso Davies has yet to score in his burgeoning Major League Soccer career, but the 16-year-old Canadian phenom bagged his first and second goals for the national team in only his second international appearance.
While goals against Sporting Kansas City and NY Red Bulls in the CONCACAF Champions League and two against Montreal Impact in the Canadian Championship are probably a better indicator of the winger’s talent than a brace against French Guiana, the strikes against the overseas department and region of France, which is excluded from World Cup play because it’s not technically a country, were still a uniquely historic event.
Davies is the youngest player to represent Canada. Today, he became the youngest Canadian player to ever play at the Gold Cup, and, of course, the youngest Canadian goalscorer at the Gold Cup.
Davies became the second youngest MLS player ever in 2016, behind Freddy Adu, and his pace and directness on the wing make me think that Canada has discovered their own version of an emerging Theo Walcott.
Alphonso Davies hizo historia al convertirse en el jugador más joven en marcar un gol en #CopaOro2017. #GUF 0-3 #CAN pic.twitter.com/TT48a2cEn4
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) July 8, 2017
After two howlers from French Guiana goalkeeper Donovan Leon allowed Canada to take a 2-0 lead before halftime, the goal from Davies built Canada’s lead to 3-0.
The rain was absolutely pissing down after that, and, remarkably, Canada’s lead was cut to 3-2 by the 70th minute. With things having turned decidedly dicy for the Canucks, the 16-year-old bailed them out with another goal.
| De esta forma, Davies marcó el cuarto gol de #CAN#UDCopaOro #CopaOro2017 #GUFvCAN pic.twitter.com/Jwrfe3eolk
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) July 8, 2017
The three points could already be enough to send Canada through to the knockout round with the top two third-placed teams advancing. Only four of the 12 teams go home after the group stage which is pretty damn silly.