The United States men's national soccer team routed Paraguay 4-1 in its first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
The United States, led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, beat Paraguay 4-1 in Group D's first match of the group stage on the 13th (Korea time) at LA Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
With an own goal by the opponent, Folarin Balogun's first brace of the tournament, and a clincher by Giovanni Reyna, the United States scored four goals.
The own goal came around the 7th minute of the first half. Christian Pulisic dribbled past two defenders with individual skill and broke into the left side of the penalty box before passing to Weston McKennie. McKennie sent the ball back into the middle, where it deflected off Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla's foot for an own goal.
Balogun scored in the 31st minute of the first half. Pulisic, sprinting into space behind the defense, delivered a cutback from the left side of the area. Balogun charged the center of the goal and finished with his right foot.
In first-half stoppage time, the 50th minute, Balogun scored again. He received a pass from Malik Tillman, beat one more defender, and scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Paraguay finally pulled one back in the 28th minute of the second half through Mauricio. It came after a long goal kick by the goalkeeper, with Julio César Enciso supplying the pass.
The United States' final goal came in the 53rd minute of the second half from Reyna.
The United States-Paraguay match was the first game of this World Cup to be played in the United States. Before the match, the tournament's third opening ceremony was held, headlined by Lisa of Blackpink and others.
It was the second time the United States and Paraguay met on the World Cup stage. The two teams faced off again after 96 years, following the group stage of the inaugural tournament held in Uruguay in 1930. Back then, the United States won 3-0 on the first hat trick in World Cup history by Bert Patenaude.
Meanwhile, the co-hosts of the North and Central America World Cup—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—all finished their openers undefeated. On the 12th, Group A's Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. Group B's Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 13th.