The United States opened their World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing Paraguay 4-1 on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The victory marked their first home World Cup in 32 years, witnessed by 70,492 roaring fans.
Record-Breaking Performance
USA scored four goals in a World Cup match for the first time in their history. In contrast, they managed only three goals combined in four matches at the Qatar World Cup four years ago. Prior to this, they had never scored more than three goals in a single World Cup match.
Folarin Balogun Shines
Folarin Balogun was the star of the night, netting twice to become the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. The 24-year-old Monaco striker, who committed to the US three years ago after deciding against representing England, showcased the marquee forward American football has craved for decades.
Christian Pulisic's Brilliance
Christian Pulisic was sensational in the first half, setting up two goals with surging runs down the left. He was replaced at halftime as a precaution after picking up a knock, but later stated, "Staying positive. I don't think it's anything," relieving US fans.
Match Highlights
The Americans tore into Paraguay from the first whistle. In the seventh minute, Pulisic sliced through two defenders and fed Weston McKennie, whose pass ricocheted off a Paraguay boot into the net for an own goal, igniting the stadium. Balogun added a clinical finish in the 31st minute, then topped it with a sublime long-range curler in first-half injury time, sending the hosts into the break with a 3-0 lead—the US's biggest halftime advantage in World Cup history.
Maurício pulled one back for Paraguay after the restart, but Gio Reyna had the final word, toe-poking home in injury time to give the US four World Cup goals in a single game for the first time ever.
Celebrity Attendance
Dozens of American celebrities and cultural icons attended the match, including Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Bill Gates, Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
