United States Launch Commanding 4‑1 Victory Over Paraguay in Opening World Cup Match

USA opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding 4‑1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, as Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna led the co‑hosts to a dominant performance before a crowd of Hollywood elites.

Published On 13 Jun 202613 Jun 2026

The hosts opened the scoring in the tournament’s inaugural match on American soil after just seven minutes, when an own goal put them ahead, and by halftime they had surged to a commanding three‑goal lead, delighting the home crowd.

The convincing win and decisive margin placed the United States in a strong position to advance from Group D, which also features Australia and Turkey.

The only blemish came at halftime when Christian Pulisic, the team’s leading attacker and the nation’s hopes for a deep run, was substituted.

Paraguay proved to be exceptionally accommodating from the outset. In the seventh minute, Weston McKennie gathered the ball at the centre circle and advanced forward, locating Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic sliced through two defenders and slipped the ball back to McKennie, whose pass to striker Folarin Balogun was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Damian Bobadilla.

The stadium erupted, and the United States launched a relentless onslaught.

The hosts displayed confidence, with both McKennie and Tillman delivering back‑heel passes into the box, while captain Tim Ream orchestrated play from the heart of defence.

Balogun’s early goal was disallowed in the 28th minute after a marginal offside call, which also impacted Pulisic’s involvement.

However, the Monaco striker found the net again three minutes later, following a superb diagonal ball from Antonee Robinson to Pulisic, whose cross to Balogun took a slight deflection.

The United States added a third goal just before halftime; Tillman located Balogun on the right flank, who evaded Omar Alderete, cut inside Gustavo Gómez, and curled a precise shot into the top left corner.

The scoreline could have risen to four or five, as Chris Richards — returning from injury — headed narrowly wide. The United States controlled 75 percent of possession in the first half.

After the break, with Pulisic absent, the hosts eased their tempo.

Paraguay finally posed a threat. Their dangerous forward Julio Enciso, despite a hamstring issue, collected the ball at the edge of the area and fed Brazil‑born substitute Mauricio, who pulled one back.

Reyna capped the scoring with a brilliant fourth goal, striking the outside of his right foot to curl the ball just inside the far post.

The match featured a Tinseltown‑style opening ceremony. Katy Perry headlined the performance, accompanied by Future, Tyla, Anitta, and K‑pop star Lisa.

Performers danced around a giant World Cup trophy beneath massive “FIFA” lettering in the gold hue favoured by U.S. President Donald Trump — who did not attend, instead sending a phone message of support to the team before kickoff.

Source link