The United States began their World Cup campaign in commanding fashion with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, delivering an emphatic performance that underlined its ambitions in Group D.
A first-half double from Folarin Balogun set the tone for the hosts, who recorded their highest-ever goal tally in a World Cup match. The striker also became the first U.S. player since 1930 to score twice in a single game at the tournament.
“Amazing result,” Captain Tim Ream said. “It’s exactly the way we wanted to start the tournament.”
The United States took control early, opening the scoring in the seventh minute when a dangerous move initiated by Christian Pulisic led to an own goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.
Pulisic remained influential in the build-up to the second goal, delivering a precise cross for Balogun to convert and double the lead. The forward added his second just before half-time, finishing confidently after shrugging off a defender to cap a near-perfect opening period.
The only setback for the U.S. came at the interval, when Pulisic was substituted due to tightness in his calf.
“It was difficult for him to walk, but I hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
Paraguay improved after the break and pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through substitute Mauricio, capitalising on a defensive lapse.
However, the U.S. maintained control and sealed the result late on, with Gio Reyna scoring a fourth goal from the edge of the box to complete a dominant performance.
Paraguay defender Junior Alonso acknowledged the gap between the two sides. “The opposition were better than us,” he said. “We need to use these mistakes to improve.”
The match, played in front of a sold-out crowd at Los Angeles Stadium, marked the first men’s World Cup fixture on U.S. soil in more than three decades.
High-profile spectators, including David Beckham and Tom Cruise, were in attendance, while the atmosphere was further enhanced by pre-match celebrations and performances.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the support, saying: “Massive thank you to the fans because the energy they gave to the team was amazing.”
The convincing win gives the United States early momentum as they look to improve on their last-16 finish at the previous tournament.
They will next face Australia, while Paraguay must regroup quickly ahead of their match against Türkiye as they seek to keep their campaign alive.
The result reinforces growing confidence around the U.S. squad under Mauricio Pochettino, with the team blending experienced players and emerging talent as they seek to make a deeper run in a home tournament.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source wh...
Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing tr...
The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with larg...
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is preparing to deploy additional North Korean forces on its territory and has received more ballistic missiles from Pyongyang, arguing that their growing military cooperation poses a threat beyond Ukraine.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Ukraine has agreed to refrain from targeting certain tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Financial Times reported, although Kyiv has continued strikes on Russian targets at the port.
Taiwan has criticised a planned joint naval exercise involving China and Indonesia near its eastern waters, describing it as a politically charged move designed to strengthen Beijing's claims over areas surrounding the island.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged residential buildings, port infrastructure and grain facilities, Russian officials and industry sources said on Wednesday.
Romanian military divers have destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas development in the country’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment