USA World Cup Masterpiece
USA's 70-Second, 26-Pass Play Featuring Gio Reyna Becomes Iconic World Cup Moment
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In stoppage time of the United States' opening World Cup match, Giovanni Reyna scored a goal that may never be forgotten. The sequence lasted 70 seconds and involved 26 consecutive passes, sweeping from the U.S. defensive third all the way to the net, before Reyna slotted past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill to seal a 4–1 victory AP News.
The win — played before 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12 — marked the United States' return to World Cup hosting soil for the first time in 32 years. Three days in, analysts are already calling Reyna's goal the frontrunner for goal of the tournament AP News.
26 Passes, 70 Seconds, One Stunning Finish
The goal began deep in the U.S. half with a simple pass. What followed was 70 uninterrupted seconds of controlled possession. Nearly every player on the pitch touched the ball. The sequence ended when Reyna received the ball in the box and finished cleanly, sending SoFi Stadium into a frenzy AP News.
Fox TV analyst Stu Holden called it "one of the best back-to-front team goals this country and this team has ever put together" KIRO 7. The goal is already being compared to Paul Caligiuri's famous 1989 "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and Benny Feilhaber's 2007 Gold Cup volley AP News.
Balogun's Brace and a Record-Breaking First Half
Before Reyna's moment, forward Folarin Balogun had already made history. The Brooklyn-born striker scored twice in the first half — a brace — making him the first American to score two goals in a single World Cup match since 1930, a gap of 96 years AP News. The U.S. led 3–0 at halftime, another first in World Cup history for the national team.
Captain Christian Pulisic drove the attack in the opening 45 minutes. A Paraguayan own goal opened the scoring, triggered by a Pulisic-led transition. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match: "We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well" The Hour.
Reyna's Redemption After 2022 World Cup Fallout
Reyna's inclusion in the 2026 squad was called a "bold" move by Pochettino AP News. At the 2022 World Cup, Reyna nearly got kicked off the team under former coach Gregg Berhalter over a perceived lack of effort. He started just four league games for Borussia Mönchengladbach last season.
After scoring, Reyna covered his ears with both hands — a gesture widely seen as a response to four years of criticism. Some fans read it as defiance. Others saw quiet confidence. Either way, the image has spread fast on social media and may define how the 2026 U.S. team is remembered AP News.
USA Tops Group D, Eyes Australia in Seattle Next
The win puts the U.S. atop Group D with 3 points and a +3 goal difference. Their next match is June 19 in Seattle against Australia, followed by a June 25 clash with Türkiye back in Los Angeles LMT Online. A strong run in the group stage would set up a deep knockout run on home soil.
The victory is also expected to drive record domestic TV viewership for upcoming matches. The high-quality play and full stadium have boosted commercial interest across U.S. host cities AP News. For a country still building its soccer culture, a 4–1 opening win — finished with a goal like that — is exactly the spark the sport needed.
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