Cardoso's Costly Error

The Midfielder's Bad Pass Undermines His Betis Form

Johnny Cardoso's calamitous mistake, which led to Turkey's equalizing goal, highlighted the disconnect between his impressive club performances and his international struggles. The Real Betis midfielder, reportedly valued at €30-40 million by Atlético Madrid, committed an inexcusable error that shifted the match's momentum entirely.

With the United States leading 1-0 and seemingly in control, Cardoso received a simple pass in his own penalty area during the 18th minute. Rather than clearing the danger quickly, he took an unnecessary extra touch while under pressure from Arda Güler. His attempted pass with the outside of his right foot was easily blocked by the Real Madrid youngster, with the ball deflecting off the post and into the American goal.

This wasn't Cardoso's first international disappointment. His lackadaisical play against Colombia before last year's Copa América allowed the opposition to score their fifth goal in a comprehensive defeat.

Pochettino responded by substituting Cardoso at halftime for Tyler Adams, and the team looked more solid defensively in the second period. The mistake represents another step backward for a player who has consistently failed to translate his club form to the international stage, raising serious questions about his future role in the national team setup.