Tag Archives: Under 17 World Cup

Gio Reyna Becomes Youngest American to Play in the Champions League

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Gio Reyna’s name has been etched in the soccer history books…

The 17-year-old part-Argentine American soccer player made his Champions League debut on Tuesday for Borussia Dortmund against Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the youngest American to play in Champions League at 17 years and 97 days.

Gio Reyna

Reyna was promoted to the Dortmund senior squad in January after only having joined the club’s academy in the summer of 2019 and has since gained game time in every match. 

A member of the U.S. squad at last year’s Under-17 World Cup, Reyna made his senior team debut for Dortmund on January 18 in a Bundesliga match at Augsburg.

Reyna had already scored in Dortmund’s German Cupdefeat at Werder Bremenearlier this month, but was instrumental for his side on Tuesday as he set up Erling Haaland’s second goal in a 2-1 first-leg win over PSG.

At 17 years, 3 months. 5 days, Reyna bettered the mark for youngest American set by Gedion Zelalemwhen he played for Arsenalat 17 years, 317 days old. Chelsea star Christian Pulisicwas four days shy of his 18th birthday when he made his Champions League debut while with Dortmund in a group phase opener at Legia Warsawin 2016. Pulisic started and assisted on Dortmund’s fifth goal in a 6-0 win.

His father, USMNTgreat Claudio Reyna, appeared in eight Champions League group phase matches for Glasgow Rangersin 1999 and 2000 and also scored a key goal in a Champions League qualifier in 1999 against UEFA Cupchampion Parma. Claudio scored eight goals in 112 appearances for the U.S. from 1994 to 2006, appearing in three World Cups. Gio Reyna’s mother, Danielle Egan Reyna, scored one goal in six appearances for the U.S. women’s side in 2003.

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s match, Gio Reyna said he was proud the team got such an important victory and of his assist to Haaland for the winner, only two minutes after Neymar levelled the score.

“A lot of emotions are going through my head right now,” he said. “To get my Champions League debut against Paris was a dream come true for me. To get an assist was even better.

“We knew Paris are such a good team. And the result is the most important thing. The way we fought as a team was so impressive,” he said. “Our work ethic and our will to win games really showed tonight.”

“It’s a super pass from Reyna,” Dortmund coach Lucien Favresaid of the ball that set up Haaland’s goal. “He plays it in brilliantly. He orients the ball very, very quickly.

Lazaro Helps Lead Brazil to Under 17 World Cup Title Over Mexico

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Lazaro has lead his team to a major victory…

The Brazilian soccer player scored a second-half injury time goal to give Brazil a 2-1 comeback victory over Mexico in the Under-17 World Cup final on Sunday in Brasilia.

Lazaro

Mexico had taken the lead through a Bryan Gonzalez header in the 66th minute and looked like it would hold on until Kaio Jorgeconverted a penalty in the 84th, with Lazaro the hero for Brazil with his late finish.

It was Brazil’s fourth Under-17 World Cup victory, while Mexico was in its third final in the last eight years in the age group.

Brazil, backed by fervent home support, hit the crossbar twice and had a number of good opportunities to score — outscoring Mexico 10-2 in shots on goal — but Mexico grafted, and held on and managed to keep the score at zero.

Eugenio Pizzuto swung in a deep left-wing cross from Gonzalez to give Mexico the lead and quiet the crowd, but Brazil came from two goals down to beat France in the semifinal and once again mounted a comeback.

The late challenge from Jesus Gomez on Gabriel Veron to give Brazil its penalty was the game’s major talking point, with referee Andris Treimanisinitially not seeing it and then checking it on VAR and awarding Brazil the penalty.

Mexico coach Jose Maria “Chema” Ruiz lamented the decision after the game, indicating the officials were selective in their use of VAR and claiming El Tri was “always the victim’ during the final.

Kaio Jorge made no mistake from the penalty spot, although Mexico keeper Eduardo Garcia got close to pushing the ball out.

The goal gave Brazil the momentum to go for the winner, which Lazaro struck first time from a right-wing cross from Yan Coutoto send the crown at Estadio Bezerrao into wild applause.