The United States Men's National Team kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a resounding 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. The hosts displayed exceptional skill and control, dominating possession and creating numerous chances throughout the match.
Dominant First Half Display
The USMNT asserted their authority early, holding 72% of the ball in the first half. Folarin Balogun opened the scoring with a clinical finish, assisted by Christian Pulisic. The lead was doubled when Paraguay scored an own-goal, and Balogun added a second before halftime to make it 3-0. The striker's brace matched the USMNT's total World Cup goals from Qatar 2022 in just 45 minutes.
Pulisic Makes History
Christian Pulisic provided the assist for the opening goal, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo to become the all-time leading assist provider in FIFA World Cup history with three assists. His creativity and vision were instrumental in breaking down the Paraguayan defense.
Paraguay's Struggles
Paraguay struggled to cope with the USA's intensity and defensive organization. They managed only two touches in the USMNT's box in the first half, while the USA registered 26. An early own-goal and defensive errors left them trailing 3-0 at halftime, with morale visibly impacted.
Second Half and Final Score
Despite a spirited effort from Paraguay, who pulled one back in the second half, the USA sealed the win with a fourth goal. The 4-1 victory continues the USMNT's trend of advancing past the group stage when winning their opening World Cup match. The attendance at SoFi Stadium was 70,492.
The performance sets a strong foundation for the hosts as they aim for a deep run in the tournament.
