FIFA World Cup 2026: USA beat Paraguay 4-1 to open campaign in style

The United States couldn’t have asked for a better start to their home FIFA World Cup campaign, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in their opening Group D match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Friday.

Playing a World Cup match on home soil for the first time since 1994, the hosts took control from the start and rarely looked troubled. An early own goal from Damian Bobadilla set the tone before Folarin Balogun struck twice in the first half to put the Americans firmly in control.

FIFA World Cup 2026 USA vs Paraguay: Highlights

Paraguay pulled one back through Mauricio in the second half, but the result was never in doubt as Gio Reyna capped an impressive evening with a stunning stoppage-time strike to seal a convincing win for Mauricio Pochettino.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Balogun thought he had doubled the lead but the effort was ruled out for offside. The attacker did not keep himself waiting long. In the 31st minute, Pulisic proved to be the creator again, a precise pass slipped through the Paraguayan defense to Balogun for the first finish.

The Monaco forward struck again in first-half stoppage time with the goal of the game. Balogun received Malik Tillman’s pass on the right edge of the box and cut between two defenders before curling a superb save into the top corner to make it 3-0 at the break.

Paraguay showed more urgency after half-time and pulled one back in the 73rd minute. Julio Enciso was quickest to react to the loose ball and fed Mauricio who beat goalkeeper Matt Freese with a low finish to give his side a glimmer of hope.

However, the home team remained in control. Substitute Ricardo Pepi almost restored the three-goal advantage moments later, but goalkeeper Orlando Gil denied him.

Reyna made sure the night ended on a high note for the Americans. Deep into stoppage time, the midfielder finished off a quick counter-attack with a brilliant off-the-foot finish that flew past Gil into the net.

The game also marked the return of defender Chris Richards, who missed the United States’ final warm-up games after injuring his ankle playing for Crystal Palace last month. Freese was preferred in goal over Matt Turner, who played in every game for the United States at the 2022 World Cup.

The result leaves the United States in a strong position in Group D. The hosts face Australia in Seattle on June 19, while Paraguay face Turkey later that day.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

13 Jun 2026 08:46 IST