THE United States of America kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay in a Group D clash at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Saturday morning, 13 June.
The Americans, who are co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, wasted no time in stamping their authority on the match.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Mauricio Pochettino's men came flying out of the blocks with high pressing and quick one-touch football that immediately put Paraguay under pressure.
Their aggressive approach paid off in the seventh minute, when Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla accidentally turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a dangerous attack, handing the hosts an early lead.
The USA continued to dominate possession and territory as they searched for a second goal.
Paraguay struggled to cope with the intensity and movement of the American attack, with the hosts creating several promising opportunities before the first hydration break.
Shortly after play resumed, the Americans thought they had doubled their lead in the 28th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
However, the setback did little to slow them down. Three minutes later, striker Folarin Balogun found the back of the net with a clinical finish following a brilliant delivery into the box, making it 2-0 to the hosts.
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Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto "Gatito" Fernández then produced an excellent save in the 43rd minute to deny the Americans a third goal.
But Balogun was not to be denied for long. Deep into first-half stoppage time, the forward struck again with a stunning effort into the top corner to send the home side into the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Paraguay showed more urgency after halftime and enjoyed better spells of possession as they looked to claw their way back into the contest.
The tempo of the game slowed, with both sides enjoying longer periods of possession.
The South Americans eventually found a breakthrough in the 73rd minute when substitute Mauricio pulled one goal back to give his side a glimmer of hope.
But any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Fernández was forced into another brilliant save a minute later before the USA put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time.
Substitute Giovanni Reyna capped off a memorable night for the hosts with a spectacular outside-foot curling strike to make it 4-1 and seal a dream start to the World Cup for Pochettino's side.
The win puts the USA top of Group D and sends a message to the rest of the world - they mean business at this World Cup!
Next up for Pochettino's men is Australia on 19 June in Seattle.
