The United States secured an expectedly strong start to their FIFA World Cup campaign, crushing Paraguay 4–1 in their opening match on home soil.
The hosts drew first blood just six and a half minutes into the match. Christian Pulisic skillfully maneuvered past two defenders before slipping a pass to Weston McKennie inside the penalty box. In a desperate bid to clear the ball, Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla ended up deflecting it into his own net.
The United States appeared to have doubled their lead in the 28th minute. However, as goalscorer Folarin Balogun and his teammates celebrated, the referee blew the whistle; Balogun was ruled offside when receiving the pass from Tyler Adams. Nevertheless, the co-hosts did not have to wait long to extend their advantage.
Just three minutes later, Balogun found the back of the net legally. Christian Pulisic made a blistering run down the left flank and cut deep into the box before squaring the ball to an unmarked Balogun on the right, who calmly tapped it home. Balogun struck again for his second of the night shortly after, this time assisted by Malik Tillman.
With the US holding a commanding three-goal lead by halftime, spectators might have anticipated another flurry of goals in the second half.
However, those expectations were defied as the game remained quiet for the first 27 minutes of the second period. When the next goal finally arrived in the 73rd minute, it was for Paraguay.
Orlando Gill delivered a long ball deep into the US half, which Julio Enciso masterfully controlled before slipping a precise pass to Marcelo Mauricio. Mauricio unleashed a powerful, diagonal strike from the left wing into the back of the net. While the late strike reduced the deficit, it did little to alter the outcome of the match.
The United States then added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time to put the exclamation mark on a comprehensive victory.
