FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group Stage – Group D
USA………….…4
Paraguay……….1
The USA got their 2026 World Cup off to a brilliant start on home soil, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles. It was the Americans’ biggest ever win at a World Cup, and a miserable return to the finals for Paraguay after a 16-year absence.
Folarin Balogun had an early effort deflected wide before the USA took the lead inside eight minutes. Christian Pulisic burst into the box and squared the ball, which was turned into his own net by Damián Bobadilla. Balogun then had a goal ruled out for offside before putting the ball in the net for real on 31 minutes, side-footing home after Pulisic pulled it back from the right.
Just before half-time, Balogun picked up a through ball from Malik Tillman, cut inside two defenders and curled a superb finish into the top corner to give the USA a three-goal lead at the break, the first time they had ever led by three at a World Cup.
Paraguay barely threatened in the second half, though Julio Enciso set up substitute Maurício, who slid the ball home for his first international goal to pull one back with 17 minutes left. However, the USA had the final say deep into stoppage time when Giovanni Reyna guided the ball into the net with the outside of his foot to round off a brilliant 26-pass move.
The result is the USA’s biggest ever World Cup win, going one better than their 3-0 victory over Paraguay back in 1930.
