The World Cup 2026 group stage concluded with 215 goals scored across 72 matches. Below are the 10 most beautiful goals, as rated by FIFA.
Giovanni Reyna's trivela masterpiece. In the 90+8th minute, Reyna surged into the penalty area and unleashed a trivela – striking the ball with the outside of his foot – sending it into the far corner of Paraguay's goal. This goal showcased the 23-year-old player's confidence and technical skill. Playing for Germany's Moenchengladbach club, Reyna sealed a 4-1 victory for host nation US in their opening match on 12/6.
Morocco's clinical counter-attack. Surrounded by four Brazilian players, Brahim Diaz delivered an accurate through ball from midfield, allowing Ismael Saibari to break free. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker rushed out, but could not prevent Saibari from chipping the ball over him to open the scoring for Morocco. The match later ended in a 1-1 draw.
Kylian Mbappe's long-range strike. Receiving the ball from a teammate's challenge, France's captain and forward immediately turned and shot from 25 meters into the far corner of Senegal's goal. Mbappe scored despite a shielding center-back in front of him and the goalkeeper ready to make a full-stretch dive. This goal sealed a 3-1 victory for France in their opening match on 16/6.
Lionel Messi's long-range strike. Following De Paul's pass from the center circle, Argentina's forward immediately converted the direct attack into a goal. He veered left to open up the angle, bypassing Algeria's two center-backs, and shot into the top right corner. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane got a hand to the ball but could not stop it. Messi then scored two more goals, securing a 3-0 victory for Argentina on 16/6.
Kevin Pina's free-kick. Pina struck a direct free-kick from 35 meters, sending the ball over the wall, where it bounced and went into the far corner, leaving the Uruguayan goalkeeper helpless. This goal opened the scoring for Cape Verde in their 2-2 draw on 21/6, and marked the first World Cup goal in the history of this African team. Cape Verde also drew 0-0 with Spain and Saudi Arabia, advancing to the next round as second in Group H.
Kerim Alajbegovic's long-range strike. Surrounded by four players, Alajbegovic dribbled from the left wing to the right, then shot from 23 meters into Qatar's net. The goal opened the scoring and helped Bosnia & Herzegovina win 3-1, securing a spot in the round of 16 as third in Group B.
Wilson Isidor's long-range strike. In the 43rd minute of the match against Morocco on 24/6, Isidor fired a shot from 25 meters into the top corner of the goal, beating renowned goalkeeper Bounou. This goal increased the lead to 2-1, providing a memorable moment for Haiti before their exit from the tournament. Haiti earned no points, with three losses to Scotland (0-1), Brazil (0-3), and Morocco (2-4).
Japan's team play. In the 56th minute of the 1-1 draw against Sweden on 25/6, Japan executed a perfect switch of attack from the right wing to the center. The ball passed through three players before being passed into the penalty area for Daizen Maeda to score with a low shot, opening the scoring.
Ousmane Dembele's long-range strike. After receiving the ball on the right wing, Dembele dribbled past two defenders, then curled a shot from 20 meters into the far corner. This goal increased the lead to 2-0 and was part of a hat-trick by the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, helping France win 4-1 against Norway on 26/6.
Eldor Shomurodov's chip. Spotting the opposing goalkeeper off his line, Shomurodov chipped the ball from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner. This audacious finish opened the scoring in their 1-3 loss to DR Congo on 27/6, and marked Uzbekistan's second goal in their World Cup debut. In their two previous matches, Uzbekistan lost 1-3 to Colombia and 0-5 to Portugal.
Thanh Quy
