USA Secures Dominant 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay in World Cup 2026 Opener

The United States men’s national soccer team achieved a convincing victory over Paraguay, winning 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game took place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday morning.

The tournament began on Thursday and will run until July 19, featuring a total of 48 teams from various continents.

The match kicked off at 4 AM Egypt and Saudi Arabia time, or 5 AM UAE time.

The first goal came in the seventh minute when Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla inadvertently scored an own goal while attempting to clear a dangerous cross, putting the U.S. ahead early.

Bobadilla’s misfortune marked the beginning of a challenging game for Paraguay.

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The U.S. doubled their lead in the 31st minute with a powerful shot from Folarin Balogun, who found the net to the left of Paraguay’s goalkeeper from inside the penalty area.

Balogun’s goal showcased his striking ability as he continued to be a key player for the Americans.

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Just before halftime, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Balogun struck again, scoring his second goal and extending the lead to 3-0 with a left-footed shot that beat the Paraguayan defense. The first half concluded with the U.S. firmly in control.

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In the second half, Paraguay managed to reduce the deficit in the 71st minute when Mauricio scored with a powerful shot from inside the box, making it 3-1.

This goal provided a glimmer of hope for Paraguay amidst a challenging match.

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The final blow came in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Giovanni Reyna scored the fourth goal for the U.S., finishing off an impressive performance with an accurate shot that left Paraguay’s goalkeeper helpless.

This victory sets a strong tone for Team USA as they embark on their World Cup journey.

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USA Starting Lineup Against Paraguay in World Cup 2026

• Goalkeeper: Freese
• Defense: Freeman, Richards, Ream, Dest, Robinson
• Midfield: Adams, McKennie, Tillman
• Forward: Pulisic, Balogun

Paraguay Starting Lineup Against USA in World Cup 2026

• Goalkeeper: Jil
• Defense: Caceres Gomez, Alderete, Alonso
• Midfield: Diego, Cubas, Bobadilla
• Forward: Almiron, Sanabria, Enciso

The draw for this year’s World Cup placed Paraguay in Group D alongside teams from the USA, Australia, and Turkey.