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USA 4-1 Paraguay: Pochettino’s Americans Make Statement in World Cup 2026 Opener
The United States kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday. In front of a star-studded crowd featuring Tom Cruise and a performance by Katy Perry, Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered a first-half masterclass that has the host nation believing.
Match Recap
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Paraguay | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Goals
| Minute | Player | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12′ | Damian Bobadilla (OG) | USA | 1-0 |
| 28′ | Folarin Balogun | USA | 2-0 |
| 42′ | Folarin Balogun | USA | 3-0 |
| 67′ | Mauricio | Paraguay | 3-1 |
| 90+6′ | Giovanni Reyna | USA | 4-1 |
First-Half Dominance
The USA came out flying. An own goal by Damian Bobadilla in the 12th minute settled early nerves before Folarin Balogun took center stage. The Monaco striker scored twice in the 28th and 42nd minutes to become just the second American player ever to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match.
With 71% possession in the first half, the USA suffocated Paraguay. Christian Pulisic was instrumental, providing the assist for Balogun’s first goal before being withdrawn at halftime as a precaution after feeling his calf.
VAR Makes History
The match also produced a historic VAR moment. Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on Miguel Almiron. But referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the monitor and instead of confirming the booking, he rescinded Ream’s card and booked Almiron for diving instead.
It is the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity in World Cup history. FIFA introduced a new rule specifically allowing this review, and it was deployed with immediate effect.
Gio Reyna’s Stunner
Paraguay pulled one back through Brazilian-born forward Mauricio in the 67th minute, briefly making things interesting. But substitute Giovanni Reyna put the game to bed in spectacular fashion, curling a 20-yard shot home with the outside of his right foot in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The goal was the final kick of the match.
What This Means for Group D
The USA sits top of Group D with 3 points and a +3 goal difference. Their next matches:
- vs Turkey June 17 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
- vs Australia June 23 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Pochettino downplayed talk of being the tournament’s surprise package, saying: We’ve had a good match, but to be the upset of the World Cup we need to get to the quarter-finals or semi-finals.
Other World Cup Results So Far
| Match | Score | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | 2-0 | A |
| Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | 1-1 | B |
| USA vs Paraguay | 4-1 | D |
Looking Ahead
- Brazil vs Morocco Neymar confirmed out with calf injury
- More Group A, C, and E matches throughout the day
FAQ
When is the USA’s next World Cup match?
The USA faces Turkey on Wednesday, June 17 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Is Christian Pulisic injured?
Pochettino said his halftime substitution was precautionary. Pulisic felt his calf after being kicked in training earlier this week, but the manager is hopeful he will be available for the Turkey match.
Has the USA ever won a World Cup match by 3 goals before?
Yes, but not since 1930. This is the first time in 96 years the USA has won a World Cup game by a three-goal margin.
What is the format of the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams across 12 groups of 4. Top 2 from each group advance, plus the 8 best third-placed teams.
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