USMNT Kicks Off World Cup with Commanding 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay

June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring the second goal for the U.S. team. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

On a balmy evening in Los Angeles, the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) made a strong statement in their World Cup opener, defeating Paraguay with a decisive 4-1 scoreline. The crowd erupted with chants of "U-S-A" as the team showcased an aggressive offense, highlighted by an early own-goal, followed by two goals from Folarin Balogun and a stunning finish from Gio Reyna. This victory marked a significant step towards matching the most wins for the U.S. in World Cup history since 1990.

The match began on a tense note, with Paraguay nearly scoring in the second minute. However, the Americans quickly regained momentum. In the seventh minute, Christian Pulisic's effort to weave through defenders led to a chaotic moment that resulted in Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla inadvertently putting the ball into his own net. The USMNT continued to press, creating opportunities and nearly netting another goal before the hydration break.

Folarin Balogun found the back of the net in the 30th minute, doubling the lead after having an earlier goal disallowed for offside. He added another just before halftime, giving the U.S. a commanding 3-0 advantage. The team made a tactical substitution at the half, bringing in Sebastian Berhalter for Pulisic, who appeared to sustain an injury.

Paraguay fought back and, following a yellow card issued to Tim Ream, managed to score in the 73rd minute through midfielder Maurício. Despite this, the U.S. continued to create chances. Gio Reyna capped off the night with a beautifully executed goal, solidifying the 4-1 victory and making history as the first USMNT squad to score four goals in a World Cup match. This performance surpassed the total goals scored by the team during the entirety of the 2022 tournament.

The win was a testament to the team's attacking prowess, although the situation regarding Pulisic's injury will be addressed by coach Mauricio Pochettino in the aftermath of the match, as reported by Fox Sports.