Ghana forward Joseph Paintsil has been voted the Man of the Match in the game between Los Angeles Galaxy and Club Tijuana in the 2025 Leagues Cup opener.
The Black Stars winger, who missed an early penalty, scored a brace and delivered an assist as the MLS champions defeated the Mexican side on Thursday evening.
His performance on the night earned him the accolade for the Player of the Match, receiving the most votes from fans.
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Joseph Paintsil didn’t let an early missed penalty get in the way! 😎⚽⚽ He came away with a brace and an assist to become MOTM pres. by GEICO 🔥 #LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/RGJyX0Uftm
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 1, 2025
“It’s a great feeling. Missing a penalty is something that can affect a player but I’m really strong in situation like that. The most important thing is the victory. I thank God for the win and the two goals as well,” said Painstil after the game.
Meanwhile, in a thrilling encounter at the Dignity Health Park, LA Galaxy broke the deadlock after just 17 minutes into the match through Matheus Nascimento but Gilberto Mora immediately leveled the score in the 21st-minute mark for Tijuana.
Gabriel Pec found the back of the net to restore the lead for the host as they went to the break with the advantage.
However, the visitors staged a swift comeback to level the score through Gilberto Mora in the 59th-minute, his second of the match.
Paintsil then led the demolition exercise for LA Galaxy in the second half of the match. He scored to restore the lead for his side in the 65th-minute before Marcos Reus added the fourth goal from his assist.
In stoppage time, the former KRC Genk star found the back of the net again to seal victory for LA Galaxy. The pacey winger denied himself a hat-trick after missing a penalty kick in the match.