USA thrash Paraguay 4-1 to begin World Cup campaign

Hosts United States launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium to underline their title ambitions on home soil.

The Americans seized control from the outset, pressing aggressively and putting Paraguay under sustained pressure from the opening whistle.

Their early dominance paid off in the seventh minute when Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous attack initiated by Weston McKennie, handing the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Paraguay struggled to gain a foothold as the United States maintained control through disciplined defending and quick transitions. Folarin Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage in the 28th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The striker, however, was not to be denied for long. Three minutes later, Balogun latched onto a precise pass from Christian Pulisic and fired home from inside the box to make it 2-0.

The hosts struck again deep into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+5th minute, Balogun completed his brace, finishing off a well-worked move after an incisive pass from Malik Tillman to send the United States into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Paraguay showed greater urgency after the restart and pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Julio Enciso. The goal briefly raised hopes of a comeback, but the United States remained firmly in control.

The hosts put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute with a fourth goal, capping a dominant performance and sealing a convincing 4-1 victory.