The United States produced a statement performance on the biggest stage in world football, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. It is the most goals the USMNT have ever scored in a single World Cup match — bettering their previous best of three — and a result that immediately installs them as credible contenders in a tournament they are co-hosting. SoFi Stadium shook from start to finish. 87,000 fans were inside. America had a party.
THE GOALS
The USA were in front inside seven minutes and barely had to shift out of first gear. Christian Pulisic drove forward from the right and delivered a low ball across the face of goal — Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla, arriving to clear, turned it into his own net. An own goal, but a goal that captured exactly the pressure the USMNT created from the first whistle.
Folarin Balogun, who had gone close before the opener, made it 2-0 before half-time. Pulisic again was the architect — this time threading a perfectly weighted through ball into Balogun's run. The Arsenal striker took one touch and finished with his left foot across Roberto Fernandez into the far corner. A Premier League-quality goal in a World Cup context. Balogun doubled his tally in the second half — capitalising on a defensive mix-up between two Paraguay centre-backs to poke home from six yards. The simplest of his three contributions on the night, but it effectively ended the contest.
Omar Alderete pulled one back for Paraguay in the 64th minute — a towering header from a Kaku free-kick. It was a moment of danger for the USA, and Pochettino made rapid substitutions. Pulisic came off — described as "good" by staff after appearing to take a knock — replaced by Gio Reyna. The former Dortmund man had the last word, stroking home in the 90+8th minute after a precise cutback to make it four.
HOW THE GAME PLAYED OUT
The first half has already been described by multiple American broadcasters as the best the USMNT have ever played at a World Cup. The pressing was relentless. Pulisic completed eight progressive carries before half-time. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie dominated the midfield zone — Paraguay's vaunted defensive record, just 10 goals conceded in 18 CONMEBOL qualifiers, was overwhelmed by the intensity and directness of the American attack. The only concern was Pulisic's early exit — and Paraguay's goal suggested the USA still have defensive vulnerabilities that better teams will exploit.
LINEUPS
USA (4-3-3): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Dest; Tillman, Balogun, Pulisic. Subs: Reyna (for Pulisic), Weah (for Tillman), Berhalter (for McKennie), Morris (for Dest).
Paraguay (4-4-2): R. Fernandez; Caceres, Alderete, G. Gomez, Alonso; Kaku, Cubas, A. Romero, D. Gomez; Almiron, Sanabria. Subs: Enciso (for Sanabria), Ruiz (for Romero).
THE NUMBERS
USA: 58% possession, 17 shots, 8 on target. Paraguay: 42% possession, 6 shots, 2 on target. Balogun: 2 goals, 2 shots on target, 5 ball recoveries. Pulisic: 1 assist, 8 progressive carries, 3 key passes before substitution.
WHAT IT MEANS
The USA top Group D with three points and a plus-three goal difference after the opening round. They next face Australia on June 19 in Seattle — a game they will be heavy favourites for given this display. The final group game is against Turkey on June 25 back in Los Angeles. A record World Cup winning margin, a record goal haul, and a performance that has made the neutral take notice. Pulisic said after: "All in all, just an incredible start. But there's a lot more we still have to do." Balogun added: "I think the first game is always the most difficult, you know, to get the nerves out of the way. You want a result like this and it gives you a lot of confidence for the next game."
