The United States announced themselves as genuine contenders at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay, delivering a statement performance in front of their home supporters.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side wasted little time taking control, opening the scoring in the seventh minute through an own goal after excellent interplay between Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie put Paraguay under pressure.
The Americans continued to dictate play and doubled their advantage in the 31st minute. Pulisic turned provider, picking out Folarin Balogun, who finished first time to cap off a slick attacking move.
Balogun score his second as Paraguay pull one back
Balogun struck again just before halftime to put the game beyond Paraguay. The striker latched onto a pass from Malik Tillman, skipped past two defenders, and fired emphatically into the top corner to complete his brace.
Paraguay managed a consolation goal in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, capitalising on a defensive lapse from the hosts.
Reyna seals the historic win for USA
However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Gio Reyna added a fourth goal with the final kick of the match.
The result was historic for the United States, with the four-goal haul marking the highest number of goals the USMNT have scored in a single World Cup match.
The previous record of three goals had stood since the 1930 tournament, when the Americans defeated both Belgium and Paraguay by identical 3-0 scorelines.