USMNT Opens 2026 World Cup With 4-1 Rout of Paraguay as Balogun Nets 2
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 13
USMNT Opens 2026 World Cup With 4-1 Rout of Paraguay as Balogun Nets 2
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 13
Summary
Inglewood delivered a dream start for the United States, which went ahead after seven minutes via an own goal and never lost control in a 4-1 Group D win.
Christian Pulisic eased fitness concerns in a 45-minute burst, creating the opener and setting up Folarin Balogun, whose two goals gave the U.S. a clinical edge.
Chris Richards underpinned the dominance from the back, completing all 83 of his passes, while Paraguay struggled badly on its right side and rarely matched the U.S. tempo.
The result put Mauricio Pochettino's team atop the group and reinforced a record-setting opener that produced the most goals the USMNT has scored in a World Cup match.