Four goals and a 96-year-old record, USA lights up the 2026 World Cup stage

The 2026 World Cup is underway, and the United States national team sent a strong message in its opening match, securing a dominant and historic victory.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered a performance that will be hard to forget, triumphing over Paraguay in Inglewood, California. The final score reflected only part of what unfolded on the pitch, as the Americans completely dominated and showed they are ready to meet the demands of this competition.

For years, the U.S. national team has been trying to reshape the image of American soccer both domestically and internationally. In its World Cup opener, it displayed a level of composure and quality that suggested it can handle the pressure of the biggest stage and seize the moment.

The match was effectively decided in the opening minutes. In just the 7th minute, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie combined in an attacking move, with the Americans' pressure forcing the Paraguayan defense into an own goal to make it 1-0.

Things only got better for the hosts from there. Growing in confidence, the United States continued to dictate the tempo while Paraguay struggled to keep up. In the 31st minute, Pulisic created the opportunity and Folarin Balogun finished first-time to double the lead and make it 2-0.

Just before the end of the first half, Balogun struck again. He capitalized on a pass from Malik Tillman, beat two defenders, and with a spectacular finish into the top corner made it 3-0, scoring his second personal goal.

The only negative note for the USA came in the 73rd minute, when Mauricio reduced the deficit to 3-1 after an attack that the American defense handled poorly.

However, Pochettino’s side did not allow the match to shift momentum. In the final action of the game, Gio Reyna sealed the final score at 4-1, rounding off a historic evening.

The four goals scored represent the United States’ best attacking performance in a World Cup match, breaking a record that had stood since 1930, when the Americans had won 3-0 against Belgium and also Paraguay.

Lineups

USA: Freese, Dest (72' Pepi), Richards, Robinson, Ream, Freeman, Adams, McKennie, Tillman (82' Reyna), Pulisic (46' Berhalter), Balogun (72' Weah).

Paraguay: Gil, Alderete, Cáceres (79' Velázquez), Alonso, Gómez (80' Kakú), Almirón (79' Sosa), Bobadilla (46' Mauricio), Cubas, Gómez, Sanabria (62' Barrios), Enciso.

“KORÇA BOOM”