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The United States U-20 team got their U-20 World Cup off to a dramatic and thrilling start on Saturday with a late winner vs. Ecuador in San Juan, Argentina.
It looked for certain that the game was going to finish goalless. Through 70 minutes there had only been one shot on target between the two teams, but then the USA started turning up the heat. Chance after chance wasn’t taken advantage of for the Americans as the clock ticked toward 90 minutes.
The best chance of the game before then was Diego Luna missing a golden opportunity in the 59th minute after a mistake at the back from Ecuador.
¡NOOOOOO!
❌ Feo error de Luna con la portería abierta, de la defensa ecuatoriana ni se diga…EN VIVO por @Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/tZFDaCZEZE#U20TD #U20WC #MundialTelemundo pic.twitter.com/U9OGE8Jx8C
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) May 20, 2023
Luna terrorized Ecuador’s defense late in the game with dazzling runs but couldn’t find the end product.
With only four minutes of stoppage time the two sides were going to share the points until Jonathan Gómez called game in the 92nd minute.
Jonathan Gómez goal vs Ecuador U-20 World Cup
✨ ¡¡¡GOLAAAAZOOOOOOO!!!
¡Increíble! Jonathan Gómez marca en los últimos minutos y le dará la victoria a Estados UnidosEN VIVO por @Telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/tZFDaCZEZE#U20TD #U20WC #MundialTelemundo pic.twitter.com/S2ijTh1yja
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) May 20, 2023
What a powerful strike to give the USA all three points.
Gómez, who also goes by the nickname “JoGo”, is a left back who plays for Real Sociedad’s B-team in Spain. Last year he made the transfer from USL side Louisville City to the Spanish club. He’s made two friendly appearances for the senior United States men’s national team.
He doesn’t score often, but he showed up when his team needed him most.
The victory puts the USA top of Group B. The other two teams in the group are Fiji and Slovakia who are playing later Saturday.
The USA will play again on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET as they face Oceania side Fiji.
