The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood, California, on Friday night to open its first men’s World Cup on home soil in 32 years. Folarin Balogun scored twice, Christian Pulisic helped create the early breakthrough, and Gio Reyna closed the match with a late fourth goal.
The result immediately put the U.S. in a strong position in Group D before matches against Australia and Turkey. For Canadian readers watching the co-hosts, the scale of the win also sharpened the early tournament picture after Canada earned its first-ever men’s World Cup point earlier the same day.
The Full Story
The night began with spectacle at SoFi Stadium, where performers including Katy Perry helped lift the atmosphere before kickoff and a crowd announced at 70,492 watched the U.S. return to a home World Cup stage. Fans in stars-and-stripes outfits had streamed into the stadium hours earlier, while celebrities including Tom Cruise and David Beckham drew cheers inside the venue.
Once the match started, the U.S. made the occasion feel smaller than it was. The opener came in the seventh minute, when Damián Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net after Pulisic split defenders and helped create pressure in the box. Instead of sitting on that early lead, Mauricio Pochettino’s side kept pressing, moving the ball quickly and forcing Paraguay to defend in retreat.
Balogun made it 2-0 in the 31st minute, finishing from Pulisic’s pass after Antonee Robinson’s long ball opened Paraguay up. In first-half stoppage time, Malik Tillman found Balogun again, and the Monaco striker cut inside before lifting a left-footed finish into the top corner. By halftime, the U.S. had a 3-0 lead, its largest in any World Cup game at the interval.
Paraguay pulled one back in the second half through Mauricio after Julio Enciso set him up, but the comeback never truly gathered speed. Reyna then struck in second-half injury time, scoring with the outside of his foot from the top of the box to complete a 4-1 win that gave the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.
Key Figures
Balogun was the match-winner, becoming the first U.S. player with a multi-goal World Cup game since 1930. His value went beyond the two finishes: he gave the U.S. a direct central threat, the kind of forward play American teams have often lacked on this stage.
Pulisic was central to the best U.S. attacks in the first half, including the move that led to the own goal and the assist for Balogun’s first. He came off at halftime with a calf issue described as precautionary, and Pochettino said he hoped it was not serious.
Reyna’s late goal added a personal note to the night after his difficult 2022 tournament. Pochettino, appointed with this home World Cup in mind, also had a statement coaching debut at the tournament, with his team looking aggressive, fit and sharp from the opening minutes.
Facts & Figures
The numbers show how one-sided the opener became. The U.S. had 63% possession, outshot Paraguay 17-8, and put 5 shots on target to Paraguay’s 1, according to Yahoo Sports. The BBC reported an even higher first-half possession figure of 71%, which matches the eye test: Paraguay spent long stretches chasing rather than building.
CBC reported this was the U.S. team’s biggest win in the tournament and its first home World Cup match in 32 years. The three-goal margin was also its largest World Cup win since the opening match of the inaugural 1930 tournament.
The context matters. Paraguay arrived back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and had conceded only 10 goals in 18 qualifiers. Scoring four against that profile of opponent turns this from a routine host win into an early tournament marker.
What This Means
For the U.S., this was more than three points. The team entered the tournament carrying the pressure of hosting and the expectation that Pochettino’s appointment should produce more than another respectable group-stage campaign. A fast, confident performance gave supporters a reason to believe the group can be won.
Canadian fans have their own team to focus on, especially after Cyle Larin’s late equalizer secured a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. Still, the U.S. result matters north of the border because the co-hosts are shaping the tone of the tournament together. Canada finally has a point; the U.S. has a blowout win; and the early pressure has shifted toward the next opponents.
There is one clear concern for the Americans: Pulisic’s calf. The U.S. still controlled the match after he left, but better opponents will test whether this attack can stay as dangerous without its most important playmaker at full speed.
What to Expect
The U.S. next plays Australia in Seattle on Friday, while Turkey is also still to come in Group D. Pochettino’s side will enter those matches with goal difference, confidence and a sharper public expectation after this opener.
Canada, meanwhile, remains in Group B contention after its draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Switzerland and Qatar also in the group. Larin’s goal ended a long wait for a Canadian men’s World Cup point and keeps Les Rouges firmly alive.
FAQ
What was the USA vs Paraguay score?
The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood, California, in its 2026 World Cup opener.
Who scored for the United States against Paraguay?
The U.S. goals came from a Paraguay own goal, two Folarin Balogun finishes and a late Gio Reyna strike.
What happened to Christian Pulisic?
Pulisic came off at halftime with a calf issue. Mauricio Pochettino said the change was precautionary and hoped it was not a major problem.
How many people attended the match?
The announced crowd at SoFi Stadium was 70,492, though some reports noted empty seats in parts of the stadium.
When does the U.S. play next?
The United States next plays Australia in Seattle on Friday in Group D.
Why does this result matter for Canada?
Canada is a co-host and earned its first-ever men’s World Cup point earlier the same day, so the U.S. win adds to a strong opening tone for the North American hosts.