Perfect start for co-hosts USA in Hollywood

The stars were out, and one the host teams USA showed out in Hollywood, breezing away to a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, 13 June.

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Tasked with carrying the nation’s hope, Mauricio Pochettino’s side showed no fear but class, dynamism, and electric pace, as they got out to a dream start against the often-rigid La Abirroja at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, while shattering records while at it.

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After a standout welcome of the world of football to the home of soccer, it was US striker Folarin Balogun that shone brightly, helping himself to a superb brace as fantastic USA led 3-0 at half-time, before easing themselves to a comfortable opening day win that sees them take early control of Group D, and paint a picture of surmounting many people’s expectations at this World Cup.

In a clash of finesse against defensive solidity, seven minutes was all it took for the Americans to get the capacity-full stadium rocking, when a flowing attacking move by the hosts led into Paraguay defender Damien Bobadilla sticking a ball from Weston McKennie past his goalkeeper, and into the net.

McKennie, who was attempting a low cross to Balogun, had been the engine behind the move to goal, with Captain America Christian Pulisic also showing his enormous ability by gliding past two defenders to make his way into the left byline.

Incidentally, the own goal was USA’s fourth that had gone their way at a World Cup, only trailing leaders France in the history of the competition.

Paraguay, making their first trip to the World Cup in 16 years, were clearly second-best in the contest, and struggled to cope with the pacy, one-touch football from USA, who shortly after that, put the game to bed.

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In the 27th minute, Balogun thought that he had scored his team’s second of the game when he fed a low cross from Tyler Adams into the net, only to have been pictured in an offside position.

Three minutes later, and there would be no doubt about his other goal, as the AS Monaco man hammered home a brilliant pass from Pulisic to double his team’s lead, and give Paraguay a dose of reality after their defensive masterclass through the qualifiers, where they had the second-best defense, just behind leaders Ecuador.

In the 38th minute, a close shave for Gustavo Alfaro’s men, as Chris Richards headed wide from a corner, before Balogun made sure all the ascendancy was with the Americans heading into the break, with a beauty of a finish.

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The flowing move in the last minute of first half added time came from Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman, who threaded a fine pass for Balogun in space to jinx his way inside the box to his left, before hammering a left-footed shot into the top corner.

Three up to the good, and all the hosts would do, on the back of a draining first-half, would be to slightly turn off their engines in the second half, a style that offered slight window-dressing for Paraguay, who took advantage to offer threat, and found a consolation through substitute Mauricio in the 73rd minute.

Reprieve you said? Not quite, as Giovanni Reyna scored a fantastic last-minute goal with the outside of his boot, to make it a dream finish for America, who bar the injury concern to Pulisic, sent warning shots to those who did not fancy them on home soil.

Not till 1930 had the Americans seen a player scored a brace in the World Cup, nor witnessed their side score four goals in the biggest tournaments of all. Sleep on them at your own risk!

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WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Thursday, 11.06.

Mexico - S.Africa 2-0 (1-0)

/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/

Friday, 12. 06.

South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)

/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/

Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)

/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/

Saturday, 13.06.

USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)

/Bobadilla og 7, Balogun 31, 45+5/ Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/

22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)

Sunday, 14.06.

01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)

04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)

07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)

20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)

02.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)

Monday, 15.06.

02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)

05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)

19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)

22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)

Tuesday 16.06.

01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)

04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***

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