Inglewood, California. The United States men's national team began its home 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Friday night. Folarin Balogun scored two first half goals, Weston McKennie assisted on the opening goal, and Gio Reyna added a stoppage time fourth in front of an announced crowd of 70,492. ESPN called the three goal margin the largest United States World Cup result since 1930.
Final score and statline
United States 4, Paraguay 1. The Americans opened their home World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in front of 70,492 spectators, according to Yahoo Sports. The three goal margin of victory matched the largest in a single United States World Cup match all time, equaling the team's 3-0 victory over Belgium in 1930, ESPN reported. Folarin Balogun became the first American to score twice in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude at the same 1930 tournament.
Christian Pulisic registered two assists before being substituted in the second half. Midfielder Weston McKennie was credited with the assist on the opening Paraguay own goal. Substitute Gio Reyna added a stoppage time fourth in the 98th minute with an outside-of-the-boot finish, according to The Guardian. Paraguay's lone reply came from Maurício in the 73rd minute.
How it unfolded
The United States pressed from the opening whistle and broke through in the seventh minute. Pulisic collected the ball on the left, slipped past two Paraguay defenders and slid a pass into the box for McKennie. McKennie's cut back across the area was deflected into the net by Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla, who had stepped in front of Balogun. The goal was officially recorded as a Bobadilla own goal, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Balogun struck twice before halftime. The first came in the 31st minute, with Pulisic again the creator. The second arrived in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time, when Balogun finished into the top corner from the edge of the box, sending the United States into the break with a 3-0 lead. ESPN described the opening 45 minutes as rivaling the best half in the history of the United States men's program.
Paraguay improved after the interval and pulled a goal back through Maurício in the 73rd minute, according to The Guardian. The Americans absorbed the response and pushed for a fourth as fresh legs came on. Reyna delivered it in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time, curling a shot with the outside of his right boot to settle the result at 4-1.
Lineup and tactics
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino started Matt Turner in goal behind a back four of Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, captain Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. Tyler Adams anchored midfield with Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie ahead of him. Pulisic, Balogun and Alex Freeman started in the attacking line, with the front three repeatedly stretching Paraguay's back four. The starting eleven was confirmed by CBS Sports' pre-match preview and corroborated in post-match reporting.
Paraguay started Roberto Fernández in goal with a back four of Juan Cáceres, Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gomez. The midfield trio of Andrés Cubas, Damián Bobadilla and Diego Gomez struggled to control the central areas in the opening half hour, a stretch in which Pulisic, McKennie and Balogun combined for the first two United States goals.
Pochettino's message
Pochettino had urged calm in his pre-match address. Speaking to reporters before kickoff, the manager told Marca, "At the end of the day, it's a game, right? We have to enjoy the match. We have to give our best, and the best way to do that is to feel free."