Fire’s Gastón Giménez scores game winner for Paraguay in World Cup qualifier

It’s safe to say Chicago Fire Designated Player Gastón Giménez has made a big impression with his new national team, Paraguay. After playing 81 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Peru last week, “Tonga” scored the game winner in the 85th minute against Venezuela Tuesday night, helping Paraguay to earn four valuable points in World Cup qualifying across the two matches.

Giménez is from Formosa, Argentina, which sits just across a river from Paraguay. He previously represented Argentina, but filed for a one-time change of association through FIFA, because his parents have family roots in Paraguay.

Gastón’s massive goal earned praise from his Fire teammates on Instagram, including Fabian Herbers, who wrote “That’s why we call him ‘grande’.”

The Fire’s Miguel Navarro was on the bench for the match for Venezuela, but did not play.

Both men are now due to fly back to Chicago, but they’ll have to undergo a 10-day quarantine after arriving.