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18-Year-Old American Helps Claudio Pizarro Become Oldest Bundesliga Scorer Ever

Claudio Pizarro became the oldest Bundesliga goal scorer of all time on Saturday. He has an 18-year-old American to thank for it.

Pizarro, a 40-year-old Peruvian, has seen it all. He’s played for Bayern Munich and Chelsea and is in his fourth stint with Die Grün-Weißen. He’s even become a voice actor with a role in the German version of “Coco.”

Josh Sargent, an 18-year-old American, hasn’t seen much yet. He’s in his first season with the Werder Bremen first team, having scored with his first professional touch in December

The two combined to give Werder Bremen a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin on Saturday, stealing a point in the final minute.

Pizarro came into the match in the 61st minute. Sargent joined him on the pitch in the 75th minute. But Werder Bremen couldn’t find a way past Berlin keeper Rune Jarstein.

That is, until the fourth minute of four minutes of added time when Sargent was fouled right outside the box.

Pizarro stepped up to take the ensuing free kick and sent a low shot toward the wall. The ball deflected twice before nestling in the back of the net in the 96th minute for an unlikely 1-1 draw. 

Pizarro, at 40 years and 136 days, set the record for oldest Bundesliga goal scorer by 15 days. The previous record was held by another Werder Bremen player, Mirko Votava, who scored at 40 years and 121 days old in 1996. 

Pizarro started his professional career in 1996, four years before Sargent was born. While it wasn't technically a Bundesliga assist for the American (unlike Tyler Adams on Saturday), it was a big contribution from the young redhead, whose desire to score earned the free kick. 

Of course, I think we all know the oldest Bundesliga goal scorer will be Josh Sargent in 22 years time, just you wait. 

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