Watch: Josh Sargent scores Bergkamp-esque stunner for Werder Bremen
Josh Sargent celebrated his recall to the US Men's National Team by scoring one of the goals of the season so far in Werder Bremen's 3-2 victory over Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3.
Sargent missed out on a place in Gregg Berhalter's Gold Cup squad in the summer, but his hard work with Bremen during the close season has been rewarded.
Days after being named in the USA's September roster for games against Mexico and Uruguay, the 19-year-old made his first Bundesliga start of the 2018/19 campaign.
Twenty-one minutes into the encounter, he was celebrating his first goal of the season and third since debuting in the German top-flight last December.
It was no ordinary strike.
Expertly bringing a measured pass over the top of the Augsburg defence from Nuri Sahin under wraps, Sargent proceeded to nonchalantly flick the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Tomas Koubek, before poking into the empty net in one audaciously fluid fell swoop.
The ball didn't even touch the ground.
It was a quite brilliant piece of composure and execution, conjuring memories of Dennis Bergkamp's sensational solo winner for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals - not to mention those countless moments of magic from Barcelona's Lionel Messi put on repeat by YouTube viewers young and old.
Anyone would think Sargent had attempted the trick before, but it was in fact just his sixth shot on goal in the Bundesliga.
It's now three goals in 299 minutes of top-flight action for the flame-haired front man: one with his first touch on debut, another on only his third appearance and last but by no means least, the silky smooth effort that would be a worthy FIFA Puskas Award candidate.
If Sargent is scoring goals of that ilk at 19, imagine what he'll be conjuring up when he hits peak age for a soccer player in roughly nine years' time.
Messi, watch out!
Related news
How do Bayern and Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
Who are Elversberg?
All you need to know on the Saarland-based outfit, who are flying high at the top of Bundesliga 2...
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...