USA Crush Paraguay 4-1 in Group D Opener

The USMNT kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign in style, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in a dominant Group D opener. The Americans scored three times in the first half to take full control.

The breakthrough came in the 7th minute when Paraguay defender D. Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net. Christian Pulisic then set up Folarin Balogun in the 31st minute to make it 2-0. Just before halftime, Malik Tillman assisted Balogun again for his second goal, sending the US into the break 3-0 up.

Paraguay came out stronger in the second half and pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, assisted by Julio Enciso. But the US responded well and sealed the win in the 90th minute when Giovanni Reyna finished off a pass from A. Freeman.

Balogun's double was the highlight of a clinical US performance. Pulisic and Tillman pulled the strings in midfield, while the defense held firm after the early own goal.

For Paraguay, the first-half defensive lapses proved costly. Despite a spirited second-half display, they couldn't recover from the three-goal deficit.

The US now top Group D and will look to build on this result in their next match. Fans can follow all the action on our match schedule and team page.