World Cup 2026 | United States 4 - 1 Paraguay
United States start World Cup with a fantastic performance
They opened their World Cup campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory against Paraguay
Author | Sophie T
Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium
It was the United States' joint-largest victory at a World Cup, matching the 3-0 wins over Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they went on to finish third.
A closer look at what happened
The hosts needed only seven minutes to take the lead in their Group D opener, much to the delight of a vocal home crowd, thanks to an own goal from Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla.
Christian Pulisic was at the heart of the move, bursting between two defenders before finding Weston McKennie, whose cut-back was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bobadilla.
Mauricio Pochettino's side believed they had doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Folarin Balogun found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Monaco forward was not to be denied for long, however, drilling home from Pulisic's pass three minutes later.
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Balogun added a second soon after, latching on to a through ball from Malik Tillman and evading a challenge from Sunderland defender Omar Alderete before curling a fine finish beyond goalkeeper Orlando Gill and into the top corner.
The United States continued to dominate after the interval, but Paraguay reduced the deficit against the run of play through Brazilian-born Mauricio, who was played in by former Brighton forward Julio Enciso before calmly slotting past Matt Freese.
The victory was sealed in style by substitute Giovanni Reyna, who produced the goal of the evening with a superb curling strike from 20 yards out.
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