USA 4-1 Paraguay - 2026 FIFA World Cup result as Folarin Balogun inspires co-hosts to emphatic win in opening match

The USA blasted Paraguay away to put the rest of the World Cup on notice in their opener on home soil, as Folarin Balogun scored a brace in a 4-1 win.

Damian Bobadilla put the ball into his own net just seven minutes into the clash, and it was one-way traffic from there, as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Balogun ripped La Albirroja apart in the performance of the tournament so far.

Group D comrades Turkey and Australia get underway on Saturday night, but the USA already look like a good bet to advance as winners, as Paraguay were no match for them in front of a patriotic crowd in Los Angeles.

It was Pulisic and McKennie who combined early on to break Paraguay open, with McKennie playing a pass across the face of goal that Bobadilla inadvertently turned past Orlando Gill.

The USA enjoyed 75% possession in the first half, and doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Pulisic, who was withdrawn at the break, latched onto a pinpoint ball down the line from Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, then cut inside and set up Balogun who produced a perfect first-time finish.

The result looked in little doubt from that moment, but Balogun made sure Paraguay wouldn’t ruin the co-hosts’ party with a superb solo effort just before half-time, leaving Omar Alderete for dead and then smashing his shot into the top corner.

Paraguay did grab a consolation goal through Mauricio, after Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso reacted quickest to a loose ball and set up the substitute, but they offered very little structured attack, and their key playmakers were virtually anonymous.

And the USA ensured they’d have the final say as Giovanni Reyna curled a shot into the net from the edge of the box to hand them a major goal difference advantage in a Group D that was predicted to be wide open.

They take on Australia in a week’s time, while Paraguay must improve by the time they face Turkey in seven days, otherwise their first World Cup experience in 16 years will be a short and chastening one.

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And that's all she wrote, the US kicking off their World Cup with a dominant victory over Paraguay.

The US deserved a three-goal win, and Reyna ensures they get it thanks to a fantastic finish from the edge of the box.

They've been pressing for the last few minutes and when the ball arrives to Reyna, he curls it past Gill with the outside of his boot to complete the rout.

There's plenty of players staying down after tackles now, as both teams look happy to get the evening over with.

After another tackle on Reyna, the US are lining up a free-kick but haven't overcommitted forwards.

That starts with Reyna writhing around the ground. Amazingly, once the foul is given he recovers.

That was the chance for Pepi to join the fun! The ball is pulled back to just north of the six-yard box but he shanks it over the bar, to the groans of half the stadium.

They're chasing another consolation goal in the final minutes, with the US finally going into their shell with all of their stars except McKennie having departed.

He scored against Paraguay in the friendly last year, and replaces Tillman who's struggled to get into the game this second half.

He played his part in the goal but he and Diego Gomez have departed and need to figure out what to do next time out against Turkey, while Caceres' tortured evening is also at an end as Gustavo Velaquez, Ramon Sosa and Kaku enter the fray.

The sub fires just over the bar, and replays show the fingertips of Gill made the difference. America are smarting from that Mauricio goal and want their three-goal lead back.

Paraguay have their goal!

It's a somewhat scruffy effort but they won't care, Almiron pounced on a loose ball and found Enciso, who quickly shuffled it to substitute Mauricio on the left wing.

He took full advantage with a well-hit shot past Matt Freese - Paraguay still won't get anything from this game but it's a nice consolation prize.

Balogun will have no hat-trick glory as he's replayed by Ricardo Pepi, while Timothy Weah is on for Dest who's been the weakest American attacker today.

Play resumes with a Paraguay long throw that comes to an end when Tillman hits the deck after contact with Almiron, as Pochettino prepares another set of subs.

It's been a chastening afternoon for La Albirroja but they still have the chance to grab a goal and give themselves some confidence ahead of their next game against Turkey.

The intensity has certainly dropped into the second half, but we still get the chance to mull over the uneventful third quarter.

The various celebrities in the crowd - David Beckham, Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau and Paris Hilton - have had a lot more airtime in the second half with America in complete control, though they are still pushing for a fourth and when Dest breaks up the right wing they get another chance, ended by an overhit cross.

Sanabria's night is over for Paraguay, he's been anonymous and is replaced by Alex Arce.

It's been a very honest performance from the Americans, as Tillman could've appealed for a penalty after hitting the deck after shooting but didn't look too bothered.

I guess being 3-0 up in the World Cup on home soil will do that for a team.

The threat down the left is greatly reduced now Pulisic has departed, yet Robinson effortlessly left Caceres for dead there to show that America can still strike at any moment.

Unfortunately the Fulham man overhit his cross, though The Yanks recover and win a corner.

It's a strange start to the half, and now Balogun looks miffed that he didn't win a penalty after turning round Alderete.

It looked like a decent shout but it's waved away - though America have retained possession.

Tim Ream was booked for a challenge on Almiron, though replays show that no contact was made.

Now the referee's gone to the VAR monitor to review the decision. It's a bit of a faff, as he pulled out the red card first, but only showed Almiron the yellow.

All's well that ends well.