For a few seconds, Alex Freeman thought his first FIFA World Cup™ goal would not count.
The defender had put Mauricio Pochettino's side against , only for the assistant referee's flag to cut short his celebrations. When VAR overturned the offside decision moments later, it sparked pandemonium at the and wild celebrations from Freeman and the USA side. He wheeled away towards the corner flag, joined by the entire bench and on the pitch.
"It was a really emotional moment for me when the goal went in," Freeman said after the match. "I was going to celebrate somewhere else, but Cristian [Roldan] and the lads on the bench encouraged me to go and celebrate in that corner. I think this moment shows just how hard I’ve worked to get myself here, belting out the national anthem in front of a fantastic crowd like today’s. I’m just incredibly grateful for all of this. I’m absolutely over the moon."
His dedication to football, and to sport in general, inevitably comes from his father Antonio, who spent eight of his nine NFL seasons plying his trade for the Green Bay Packers – most notably winning Super Bowl XXXI after scoring a touchdown in the showpiece game.
“It feels like a full circle moment for me and my family," Freeman reflected. "It’s amazing to have a father who has been so successful and such a great mentor to me. He taught me to be ready for moments like these and to believe that I can write my own story too."
Freeman also provided an assist in the opening game of the tournament, over Paraguay, and has quickly emerged as a key asset for Pochettino's side.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds," Pochettino said during his post-match press conference. "He’s a humble lad who always listens and is keen to learn. He’s got the potential to become one of the best players in the world in his position."
Freeman's humility was evident in his own words, as the Villarreal defender added: "Spirits are high in the dressing room. There’s a feeling that something special is in the air. We’re playing well and winning, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We’ve got to keep it up if we want to be ready for the challenges ahead."
USA, already through to the Round of 32 as Group D winners, at on June 27.
Sources: FIFA Official
