It may go down as one of the film’s iconic moments. 2026 world cup.
It’s definitely going to take something special to beat your tournament goal, even if it’s only for three days.
Gio Reyna scores a stunning goal late in stoppage time at Los Angeles Stadium, with virtually the last kick of the match. America wins 4-1 In Friday’s match against Paraguay, they had a great team move with an exquisite finish.
This was Pochettino’s best ball.
FOX TV analyst Stu Holden said, “This might be one of the best team goal streaks this country and this team has ever put together.”
It could have been even better than that.
Completed in 70 seconds
With 96 minutes and 10 seconds on the clock, all the Americans had to do was bide their time and avoid provoking a late counterattack from the Paraguayan team, which had already recovered one point in the second half.
Over the next 70 seconds, Mauricio Pochettino’s side put together 26 passes from left to right through defense and attack, leaving the Paraguayan players chasing shadows. Not a single Paraguayan put his foot on the ball. He then moved on to Reina, who made a cameo appearance in the 82nd minute replacing the outstanding Malik Tillman.
Reyna received a pass from Alexander Freeman outside the box, controlled the ball with one touch, and sent it into the area with another touch. He then curled a shot with the outside of his right boot, evading Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil and firing it into the far corner, sending the American fans into a frenzy.
And they weren’t the only ones crazy. As Reyna drove away in celebration with his hands over his ears, he was mobbed by team-mates, substitutes and even Pochettino, who had run across the field to join in the moment.
“There aren’t many words to describe this feeling,” U.S. captain Tim Ream said after his team’s game. Biggest victory in World Cup history.
It’s like looking at Brazil
America’s possession was reminiscent of Brazil’s Carlos Alberto’s multi-pass goal in the 1970 final against Italy, which many believe is the team’s best goal in World Cup history.
The match also ended 4-1, with Carlos Alberto’s shot, like Reina’s, coming late in the 86th minute.
The ninth passing move ended with Pele placing the ball to Carlos Alberto and firing a low shot into the corner.
The stakes were much higher for Brazil, but for the United States it was an opening performance against a Paraguayan team that had the best defensive record of any South American team during qualifying. Pochettino’s team has already surpassed the total number of points they achieved in the entire 2022 tournament, when the United States finished in the last 16 with just three goals.
“Congratulations to Team USA on their 4-1 win over a very good Paraguay team,” President Donald Trump wrote on his social media site Saturday. “Please continue!”
A taste of what’s to come
The U.S. men’s national team has made great strides in hired pochettinoIn 2024, he is the former manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Tottenham.
There was Run to the Gold Cup final Last year, he wasn’t shy about his World Cup ambitions.
“Why not us?” has become something of a motto for the tournament.
Pochettino believes that by having more time to work with his players ahead of the opening game, he will be able to maximize his team’s potential.
“When you only have a few days to reunite and play, you can’t just pick players, you can’t coach them,” he said Friday. “Only in these kinds of tournaments like the Gold Cup or this World Cup, you have two, three, four weeks of preparation, so I think that’s the only moment we can coach.”
Reyna’s goal was a perfect example of Pochettino’s insistence on focusing on the team rather than the individual.
“One of the things we have to admire is the united effort,” the coach added.
Reina erases the pain of 2022
It was a triumphant return for Reyna after he caused controversy in Qatar four years ago due to his lack of hustle. almost sent him home World Cup record by then-coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino made the bold decision to add Reina to his squad. He only started in four league games. There was nothing at Borussia Mönchengladbach last season after December 19th.
Reyna celebrated with his hands over his ears, perhaps mindful of the noise that had surrounded him since the last World Cup.
America has had great goals in the past.
Fans will debate whether this was the USMNT’s biggest goal.
In 1989, Paul Caligiuri’s long-range volley against Trinidad and Tobago sent the United States to its first World Cup appearance since 1950.
The last time the United States hosted the tournament, in 1994, Eric Wynalda’s free kick against Switzerland gave the Americans their first World Cup point since 1950.
There was also a volley from Benny Feilhaber, who won the Gold Cup in 2007.
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
