W/Cup: U.S. Romp Past Paraguay, Secure Dominant Victory In Opener

The United States Men’s National Team came through with a decisive 4-1 victory in their 2026 World Cup opener against Paraguay.

The Americans who entered the tournament ranked No. 17 in the world, beat their first opponent in the tournament to assert their superiority.

An own goal gave the U.S. a lead in the seventh minute, before striker Folarin Balogun scored twice, including a goal that was the final kick of the first half, to give the U.S. a comfortable lead in one of its most dominating performances ever.

Paraguay was able to claw a goal back in the second half before Gio Reyna scored in the 98th minute for the U.S. to push the lead back to three in the game’s final play.

That Paraguay goal doesn’t matter much for the ultimate outcome, obviously, but it could be huge for the Paraguayans’ goal differential at the end of the group stage.

Eight third-place teams across the 12 four-team groups will make the Round of 32.

If there was any downside to the win for the USMNT, it could be about Christian Pulisic’s health. The U.S. star was brilliant in the first half, but came off at halftime. There was no immediate indication if Pulisic was injured in the first half or if his removal was precautionary.