Donelli’s Four Goals Lead U.S. Past Mexico In Historic '34 World Cup Playoff

Aldo "Buff" Donelli with 1934 U.S. World Cup Team in Rome, Italy / Photo Courtesy - USSF Archives

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on 23 March 2026)

For the first time in history, a qualifying match took place just three days before the start of a FIFA World Cup. On 24 May 1934, in Rome, Italy, Aldo "Buff" Donelli scored four times to lift the USA to a 4:2 victory over Mexico. The win secured the Stars & Stripes the final berth in the 16-team tournament.

This playoff encounter, which also marked the first-ever meeting between the two rivals, concluded the inaugural North American qualifying tournament. While Mexico and the USA had both competed in the 1928 Olympics and the 1930 World Cup, they had never played against each other until this match in Rome.

Under coach Rafael Garza Gutiérrez, Mexico reached the playoff after winning all three of its games against Cuba in Mexico City that March. Meanwhile, the USA—which had finished third at the 1930 World Cup—had submitted its application late. Consequently, FIFA arranged for the USA to face Mexico in a winner-take-all playoff at Rome’s Stadio Nazionale del PNF, just 72 hours before the World Cup began.

Before a crowd of 10,000, Mexico took an early lead in the 23rd minute through forward Manuel Alonso. However, Donelli responded with two quick strikes in the 28th and 30th minutes, giving the USA a lead they would never relinquish.

The second half proved even more difficult for the Mexican side. In the 52nd minute, defender Antonio Azpiri was ejected by Egyptian referee Yossouf Mohamed. Despite the man advantage, the match remained tense; Donelli, who missed a penalty kick earlier in the game, increased the U.S. advantage to 3:1 in the 74th minute.

After Mexican forward Dionisio Mejía cut the lead to 3:2 a minute later, Donelli eventually sealed the victory with his fourth goal with just three minutes left on the clock.

"We were beaten 4:2, and we lost without any excuses," Mexican goalkeeper Rafael Navarro later recalled in the book by Carlos F. Ramirez' - Selección Nacional.

Donelli, a Pittsburgh native added to the lineup at the last minute on the insistence of midfielder Billy Gonsalves, became only the second U.S. player to score four goals in an international match. He also set a record for the most goals in a North American qualifying game.

"Mexico had a team that was pretty equal to ours, but they were not very quick," Donelli noted Tony Cirino's Book - US Soccer vs. The World. "They had a very deliberate style of attack... it was very predictable. If you moved a bit, it would put them off balance."

The USA’s 1934 tournament was brief. They drew hosts Italy in the opening round on 27 May and were defeated 7:1. Donelli provided the only Stars & Stripes highlight, scoring a 57th-minute goal with a shot from outside the penalty area that screamed into the corner of the net.

Those five goals in Italy would be the only ones of Donelli’s international soccer career. Upon his return to the U.S., he transitioned to American football, coaching his alma mater Duquesne, and later with Boston University and Columbia University. He also coached in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Rams. Donelli passed away in 1994 and was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1954.

FIFA World Cup Italy 1934 - Qualifying Group 11 (North America) Playoff

24.05.1934: Rome, ITALY; Stadio Nazionale del PNF (A: 10000)

USA – MEXICO 4:2 (2:1)

Aldo DONELLI 28’, 32’, 74’, 87’ – Manuel ALONSO 23’; Dionisio MEJIA 75’

USA: Julius Hjulian – Edward Czerkiewicz, George Moorhouse-C, William Lehman, Billy Gonsalves, Peter Pietras, James Gallagher, Aldo Donelli, Werner Nielsen, Thomas Florie, Bill McLean.

TD: David GOULD 

MEX: Rafael Navarro - Antonio Azpiri, Lorenzo Camarena, Guillermo Ortega-C, Ignacio Avila, Felipe Rosas, Vicente García, Manuel Alonso, Dionisio Mejía, Juan Carreño, José Rubalcaba. Sent offs: Azpiri 52’

TD: Rafael GARZA GUTIERREZ

R: Yossouf MOHAMED (EGY)