Romaine Gandonou Won Goal of the Tournament Award
The 15-year-old forward earned the honors following a fan vote after her performance at the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Soccer
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Benin forward Romaine Gandonou has been awarded the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The 15-year-old secured the prize following one week of fan voting.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights individual standout performances during the international youth competition held in Poland. Gandonou achieved the honor through a high-stakes free-kick that drew significant attention from voters.
Gandonou competed in three matches during the tournament and scored two goals against Mexico in a 2-2 draw. The award recognizes her curling free-kick that bypassed the defensive wall to find the net.
The players
Romaine Gandonou
She is a 15-year-old forward who represented Benin at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
Pau Comendador
She is the recipient of the adidas Golden Boot award for the 2026 tournament.
The details
Gandonou, a 15-year-old forward, played three matches for Benin during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held in Poland. Her highlight goal came during a group stage draw against Mexico, which ended 2-2.
Timeline
2026: The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was held in Poland.
Season Trajectory
This award marks a significant milestone for Benin during their participation in the biennial FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The recognition underscores the competitive emergence of youth talent on the international stage during this tournament cycle.
Fans can look at Gandonou's contribution as a highlight of Benin's performance in Group A, despite the team's subsequent 4-1 loss to Poland. Her individual success provides a notable data point for youth scouting and future tournament potential.
The takeaway
The fan-driven voting process reflects the increasing engagement with youth international matches. This award serves as a career-defining moment for Gandonou following her standout performance in Poland.
Further reading
For more information on international youth competitions, visit Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fifa.
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