How Junior Firpo got on as Leeds United star plays for the Dominican Republic overnight, he scored again

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Junior Firpo was absent from the first of The Dominican Republic’s two friendlies against Puerto Rico last week, but the Leeds United star played during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Dominican Republic manager Marcelo Neveleff confirmed Firpo and Mariano Diaz would miss the first of the two friendlies. However, both players started in the second friendly, which saw them secure a 2-0 win.

Going into the game, five of Leeds United’s 16 players had found the back of the net for their countries during the break. Mateo Joseph, Sam Chambers, Dan James, Rasmus Kristensen and Diogo Monteiro.

Firpo added himself to that list of goalscorers from the penalty spot as Neveleff’s men secured a 2-0 win at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago. Former Real Madrid striker Diaz gave the Dominican Republic the lead.

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Junior Firpo scores penalty for Dominican Republic in 2-0 victory

This has been by far Firpo’s best season in front of goal. In his 25 Championship appearances this term, Firpo has had a hand in 12 goals for Leeds – scoring three goals and laying on an impressive nine assists.

Not only has he been impressive in front of goal for Leeds, but also for his country. Last night was his seventh cap of the season for The Dominican Republic, netting his seventh goal involvement this term.

Firpo took on penalty duties for The Dominican Republic and in a Jorginho-style, slow run-up before a jump and a skip, the Leeds defender sent the Puerto Rico goalkeeper the wrong way and scored.

Junior Firpo’s 2024-25 campaign in numbers is really impressive

Coming into the season, Firpo had a career total of 31 goals and assists for club and country including his time at Real Betis and Barcelona as well as Leeds. But now, he has 19 goals an assists just this season.

For any player in any position, 19 goals and assists in 35 games is a stunning return. Most strikers or those in attacking positions would be delighted with their season’s efforts – let alone a left-back.

But that is where we are at with Firpo, who might feel hard done by that he doesn’t have four Leeds goals to his name this season after Leeds’ first at QPR was an own goal. Hopefully, he adds to it on Saturday.