Cyle Larin joined an exclusive club of Southampton players when he scored Canada's late equaliser against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup.
Not many Saints faces have managed to bag a strike on the World's grandest stage, but the 31-year-old has, with Mohamed Salisu the last figure to score at the nervy tournament with South Coast connections, when Ghana just about beat South Korea 3-2 in a high-octane clash in 2022.
He has since followed that up with another memorable goal for his beloved nation against Qatar, as Julen Lopetegui's men collapsed to a 6-0 loss at the hands of Jesse Marsch's rampant host country.
Reaching two goals also means he's the only Saints player in history to collect more than one strike at a World Cup.
Larin has been coolness personified throughout the tournament so far for the Reds, despite the spotlight beaming down on him after a nine-goal end to the season with the Saints.
He has even come out with some defiant comments after that 6-0 win over the hapless Maroons, with Canada set for the knockout stages of the esteemed competition.
Larin's determined comments
Larin has been through it recently, even if he does cut a cool customer leading the line for his country right now.
Indeed, at one point last season, it was extremely touch-and-go as to whether the 92-time international would be lining up under Marsch or not at the World Cup, with a 14-game goal drought for his nation, which was broken emphatically with his Bosnia equaliser, hardly inspiring form.
On top of that, only one goal would fall into his lap when on the books of Feyenoord on loan, meaning it was make-or-break for the veteran attacker when Southampton secured his temporary services.
Thankfully, he now looks like a different beast in front of goal, with nine strikes put away confidently for the Saints last season, seeing him put pen to paper on a fixed stay at St. Mary's for £2.5m, before the World Cup properly got underway.
Speaking with the Canada national team on YouTube recently, Larin spoke about his determination to prove his doubters wrong, as his reinvigorated form domestically has undoubtedly helped him silence his critics in a Maple Leaf jersey.
He said passionately and rather explicitly: “There is a fire under you that wants to prove [what] everyone is saying is bullsh*t. Personally, I knew it was coming. I just didn't know when. That was to all the haters… I proved them wrong.
“I basically said: I'm him, don't f*ck with me.”
This will be music to the ears of Southampton fans back home, as this swagger should stand him in good stead next season to be the lethal marksman who fires the South Coast outfit to promotion.
Southampton fans will love what Larin has said
Much like Larin stated that he has a "fire" within him to prove outside voices wrong for his nation, there will surely be an unwavering drive throughout the Saints' ranks next season to put the controversy of Spygate to bed, and those who continue to stick the dagger in about their spying antics, by finally delivering promotion.
This is easier said than done, with Southampton entering into the daunting new season with a four point deduction to wrestle with.
But, Larin is a fantastic example of being able to overcome whatever obstacle is in your way, as the goal-shy striker for Feyenoord is no longer present.
Instead, the 31-year-old is a talismanic figure for Canada, and he will know his nine goals back at his parent club is him just getting started.
He will solidify himself as a fan favourite back in England if he steers the Saints to the Premier League, with the veteran attacker ready to bust even more of a gut to get there.
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