Giovanni Reyna’s First World Cup Goal Was a Trivela Stunner — and It Ended Paraguay’s Night on a Brutal Note

Giovanni Reyna had already waited four years for a real World Cup moment. On Friday night, he got it — and he made sure nobody would forget it.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who barely saw the pitch during the 2022 tournament, capped off the USMNT’s 4-1 win over Paraguay with a trivela shot so clean it felt like a statement. With the clock ticking toward zero, Reyna curled the ball around the goalkeeper and into the far corner, igniting the U.S. bench and the crowd alike.

It wasn’t just a goal. It was the kind of finish that tells you a player has arrived.

How the Match Unfolded

The U.S. came out fast and never really let up. Christian Pulisic set the tone early, forcing an own goal from Paraguay in the opening minutes. He then turned provider, slipping a perfect pass to Folarin Balogun, who buried a shot into the top-left corner before halftime.

Paraguay managed to pull one back in the second half, but the U.S. response was immediate. Reyna entered the match with the score already 3-0 — a cushion that allowed him to play freely. He used that freedom to craft the highlight of the night.

With seconds remaining, Reyna picked up the ball on the right flank, shaped his body, and unleashed an outside-of-the-foot strike that bent past the keeper. It was the kind of shot that leaves defenders shaking their heads and fans rewinding the replay.

“He’s been working on that,” a team source noted after the match, though the U.S. camp has not officially commented on the training-ground rumors.

What Reyna’s Performance Means for the USMNT

Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Reyna has taken on a more offensive role — one that suits his creativity. In 2022, he was mostly a spectator during the Round of 16 loss to the Netherlands. This time around, he’s being handed the keys to unlock defenses when the game opens up.

The win gives the U.S. a massive boost heading into Matchday 2. Their next opponent is Australia, with kickoff scheduled for June 19 at 3 p.m. ET.

If Reyna keeps delivering moments like Friday’s, the USMNT might just be playing well into July.