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We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Jermaine Jones
USA v Portugal
Brazil 2014 | Group G
Arena Amazonia, Manaus
‘Baby Horse’ thrilled ‘Fighting Pig’. Jermaine Jones was on the team bus, en route to the Arena da Amazonia for the biggest game of his life, when he caught a social media post from Alex Morgan. The Olympic gold-medallist had posted a selfie in her USWNT No13 shirt, with her own surname obscured by that of ‘JONES’.
“It was a really cool surprise,” admitted the defensive midfielder. “I know we share a number, but you’d expect to see the name of one of the other guys.”
After backing from one goalscoring great, Jones went and outperformed another. Cristiano Ronaldo may have drawn a blank in a 2-2 draw, but nothing would have stopped the 32-year-old’s sensational strike. When an American corner was cleared into him, Jones jinked inside Nani and brilliantly bent the adidas Brazuca home from outside the box.
The result ultimately helped the US pip Portugal to a knockout-phase place.
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