The United States squad, featuring stars such as Christian Pulisic from AC Milan, Weston McKennie from Juventus, and Folarin Balogun from Monaco, commenced the match strongly in Los Angeles, under the supervision of Dutch referee Danny Makkelie.
Conversely, Paraguay fielded a team of internationally seasoned players, including Miguel Almirón from Atlanta United, Julio Enciso from Strasbourg, and captain Gustavo Gómez from Palmeiras.
The hosts took an early lead in the 7th minute when Paraguayan midfielder Damian Bobadilla, who plays for São Paulo, accidentally diverted the ball into his own net, marking the first own goal of the 2026 World Cup.
America’s lead was doubled in the 31st minute, as Folarin Balogun converted a swift inside-the-box move with a first-touch shot sending the ball into the bottom-right corner, making it 2-0. Just three minutes earlier, the Monaco forward had found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Further extending their advantage just before halftime, Folarin Balogun scored again, bringing the tally to 3-0. The U.S. team entered the break with a commanding lead after a dominant first half, during which Paraguay struggled to mount any significant offensive threat under the pressure from the hosts.
USA’s Unbeaten Streak in World Cup Openers Continues
The United States reached the round of 16 in the last World Cup hosted on home soil in 1994 and progressed beyond the group stages in their last three tournament appearances, in 2010, 2014, and 2022. Since 2010, the Americans haven’t lost an opening World Cup match, achieving one victory and two draws.
Despite entering the competition after a fluctuating start to the year, with three losses in their first four matches of 2026 against higher-ranked FIFA opponents, Mauricio Pochettino’s team remains optimistic.
Paraguay’s Return After a 16-Year Hiatus
Paraguay returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, following a solid CONMEBOL qualifying campaign. Under the guidance of Gustavo Alfaro, the team finished level on points with Colombia, Uruguay, and Brazil, boasting the second-best defense in the South American qualifiers.
However, the South Americans faced difficulties in attack, averaging just 0.78 goals per match during the qualifiers, the lowest among the teams in the final tournament. Paraguay enters the competition with confidence after securing three wins in their last four matches.
USA Holds the Historical Edge
The historical head-to-head record favors the United States. The Americans have won the last three encounters against Paraguay, all by a single-goal margin. The only World Cup clash between the two was in 1930, with the USA winning 3-0.
Paraguay has won only one of their last eight opening matches at the World Cup and has managed a draw and a loss in previous encounters against host countries, in 1986 and 1998.
Pulisic and Almirón: Key Players for Their Teams
Christian Pulisic, an AC Milan winger, was the standout offensive player for the USA in the 2022 World Cup, contributing to all three of their goals. Meanwhile, Miguel Almirón, an attacking midfielder for Atlanta United, serves as the creative force for Paraguay, orchestrating crucial attacking plays for the South Americans.
Împotriva articolelor redacției noastre, persoanele nemulțumite pot formula Contestație în termen de 10 zile de la publicarea articolului, la judecătoria Orășenească nr. 1 München Bayern Deutschland, in conformitate cu Legea federală Germană. Considerăm că nu se pot formula acțiuni la instanțele din România deoarece nici o persoană care activează în trustul nostru nu poate fi extrasă de sub jurisdicția federală germană. Considerăm că redacția noastră nu răspunde în fața autorităților din România ci doar celor federale sau civile germane. deoarece legea română nu are efecte de extraneitate asupra redacției chiar dacă subiectul știrilor face obiectul unor evenimente sau persoane din România și sunt scrise în limba română. Limba română nu este izvor de extraneitate a legii.
