Los Angeles, United States: The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener on Friday, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Gio Reyna adding a late goal.
The co-hosts went ahead in the seventh minute when Damian Bobadilla bundled the ball into his own net after Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic combined.
Balogun had a goal ruled out for offside in the 28th minute but scored three minutes later from a Pulisic cross. The Monaco striker added his second just before halftime after turning inside Gustavo Gomez and curling a shot into the top left corner.
Sky Sports reported that the United States opened their home World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win in Los Angeles, matching one of their best tournament margins.
Paraguay reduced the deficit in the second half when Julio Enciso found substitute Mauricio, who finished to make it 3-1. Reyna sealed the result in stoppage time with an outside-foot finish that curled inside the far post.
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Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at halftime in the match’s main concern for the hosts. The attacking talisman was carrying the team’s hopes as it sought a deep run in the World Cup.
