The start of the World Cup in the United States could not have been better for the native team, which after months – even years – of generating doubts and receiving criticism, achieved a resounding 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
In fact, the first forty five minutes offered by the Stars and Stripes team were extraordinary, possibly the best in the team’s history in FIFA World Cups. They took possession of the ball, outwitted a Paraguayan squad famous for its defensive toughness, and showed a courage and skill that should attract the attention of the public.
A performance like this Friday before 70,492 spectators at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium) is just what US soccer had in mind four years ago after a loss in Doha at the hands of the Netherlands that marked their final in the previous World Cup. With so much young talent, it was presumed, the team will fully reach its World Cup at home in 2026.
What was seen in the first half, when The United States overwhelmed the Guarani to take a 3-0 leadis actually the dream that was had here when the country hosted its first World Cup 32 years ago. And the triumph on this magical night of June 12, 2026 in Southern California is the product of the work done by so many people over decades.
The victory that puts the United States as the leader of Group D and that sends a message to all the other teams participating in the World Cup adds to the list of the team’s best results, including a 3-0 against the Paraguayans in 1930, the 1-0 against England in 1950 and the remembered 2-0 against Mexico in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup.
Christian Pulisic lights up the debut of the United States
Questioned before the World Cup for a scoring drought that lasted five months, which was finally broken on May 31 in a friendly against Senegal, Christian Pulisic showed almost immediately that he is still the figure and reference of the American team.
Pulisic got between two rivals on the left and then filtered a short pass between the legs of Andrés Cubas in the area aimed at Weston McKennie, who extended diagonally. Paraguayan Damián Bobadilla tried to get in the way, but the Sao Paulo player ended up deflecting the ball directly into the nets to shake the SoFi Sadium stadium just 7 minutes in with the own goal.
Pulisic, 27, continued to wreak havoc on the normally tough Guarani defense, looking quick and creative on the ball. Thus, at 31 minutes he beat them back for the umpteenth time after Antonee Robinson’s shot, with a good performance, and put the poisonous diagonal into the area that Folarin Balogun shot from the right to beat goalkeeper Orlando Grill and make it 2-0.
Balogun, a 24-year-old attacker who plays for Monaco in the French league, had already warned a few minutes before when his goal was disallowed for offside.
The Paraguayans couldn’t find the ball, in fact they were fighting with it in that nightmare first half. And things got even worse for them when the last minute of added time was played.
Malik Tillman sent a deep pass to Balogun, who with his necessary physical power left defender Omar Alderete on the ground, then cut back with great talent to Gustavo Gómez and shot the goalkeeper left-footed with a shot into the top corner. A spectacular goal that finished off the Paraguayans 3-0.
The advantage was so good and the dominance of the United States was so extensive that Coach Mauricio Pochettino removed Pulisic after the first half, replaced by Sebastian Berhalterson of the previous Stars and Stripes coach. It was later learned that Pulisic felt discomfort in his calf and was taken off early as a precaution.
Balogun, the man with the two goals, was substituted in the 72nd to make way for Ricardo Pepi.
Maurício scores the first Paraguayan goal
Paraguay, which made several changes after the debacle of the first forty five minutes, was better organized for the second half and had much more of the ball. The match, obviously, was different with the three goals against them.
At 73 minutes, Albirroja discounted when Maurício, a man born in Brazil and who had relieved Bobadilla, took advantage in the area the assistance of Julio Enciso to score.
But when Paraguay tried to make the night worthy and avoid sinking further into the statistics, Gio Reyna, who had come on as a substitute, appeared to score the 4-1 with a superb three-fingered definition. Another great goal that served to solidify the United States’ result as possibly the best in its history in World Cups.
And after a performance like this, the “Crew USA” has quickly made the entire country dream. The promise of four years ago – and more than three decades – could be “curdling.”
It’s only the beginning of the World Cup, but the United States has hit the table hard.
The match was played in the stadium with great fervor in a full stadium, clearing the unknowns about the discussed issue of “available” tickets for the debut of the host team. The cries of “USA, USA!” They sounded early in the spectacular stadium and its surroundings, and the Paraguayan fans were also heard, who were confused in the crowd because they had the same colors as the United States.
But almost from the beginning, South American fans were conditioned to suffer and recognize that their team was no match against a much better-equipped team that passed them by to the delight of the many soccer legends and Hollywood celebrities who witnessed the rout.
Lineups
USA (4-2-3-1) – Matt Freese; Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest; Folarin Balogun. Coach: Mauricio Pochettino.
Paraguay (4-4-2) – Orlando Grill; Gustavo Gómez (C), Omar Alderete, Júnior Alonso, Juan Cáceres; Miguel Almirón, Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez; Julio Enciso, Antonio Sanabria. DT: Gustavo Alfaro.
