United States vs Paraguay
SoFi Stadium
D. Makkelie
2026
Match Report
The United States delivered a statement performance in their 2026 World Cup opener, routing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun's clinical brace the undeniable highlight of a dominant night on home soil.
The USA were relentless from the off. Damián Bobadilla's own goal handed the hosts an early 7th-minute lead before Balogun doubled it in the 31st, finishing off a sharp assist from Christian Pulisic. The Monaco striker then added his second in the 45+5th minute to send the USA into the break 3-0 up. Pulisic was withdrawn at halftime, sparking fitness concerns. Paraguay showed some fight through Maurício, who pulled one back on 73 minutes with help from Julio Enciso, but Giovanni Reyna killed the contest with an outrageous trivela in the 90+8th minute.
The United States sit top of Group D with three points and a tone-setting victory in front of their home crowd. For Paraguay, the road to the knockout rounds just got considerably harder.
Match Events
7'
10'
J. Caceres(Tripping)
28'
F. Balogun(Goal Disallowed - offside)
31'
45+5'
46'
46'
53'
M. Almiron(Diving)
59'
T. Adams(Roughing)
62'
72'
73'
79'
D. Gomez(Holding)
79'
79'
82'
88'
A. Arce(Roughing)
90+3'
J. Alonso(Holding)
90+8'
7'
10'
J. Caceres(Tripping)
(Goal Disallowed - offside)F. Balogun
28'
31'
45+5'
46'
53'
M. Almiron(Diving)
(Roughing)T. Adams
59'
62'
72'
73'
79'
D. Gomez(Holding)
79'
79'
82'
88'
A. Arce(Roughing)
90+3'
J. Alonso(Holding)
90+8'
Statistics
65%Possession35%
16Shots9
6Shots on Target1
3Corners1
13Fouls17
2Offsides1
1Yellow Cards5
596Passes320
1Saves3
Injuries & Suspensions
United States
No injuries reported
Paraguay
Head to Head
6
United States wins
0
Draws
2
Paraguay wins
Goals: 15 - 6
