US Thrash Paraguay 4-1 in Dream World Cup Start

The United States made an impressive start to their home World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, powered by a brace from Folarin Balogun and a late strike from Gio Reyna.

Co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, the United States dominated from the opening whistle in the first World Cup match played on American soil, racing to a three-goal lead before half-time in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,492.

The hosts opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a flowing move involving Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic ended with Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla accidentally turning the ball into his own net.

The early breakthrough sparked a relentless US attack. Balogun thought he had doubled the lead midway through the first half, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

The striker made no mistake three minutes later, however, converting a cross from Pulisic after a swift attacking move down the left flank.

The US added a third just before the break as Balogun produced a moment of quality, weaving past defenders before curling a precise effort into the top corner.

The hosts controlled much of the first half, enjoying 75 percent possession and creating several more opportunities, including a close-range header from Chris Richards that narrowly missed the target.

The only concern for the Americans came when captain Christian Pulisic was substituted at half-time, raising concerns over the fitness of the team’s key attacking player.

Paraguay showed more urgency after the break and reduced the deficit when forward Julio Enciso set up substitute Mauricio, who finished calmly to make it 3-1.

However, any hopes of a comeback were ended in stoppage time when Reyna produced a superb finish with the outside of his right foot to seal an emphatic victory.

The result gives the United States an early advantage in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey, and boosts hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.

The match was preceded by a star-studded opening ceremony featuring performances by singers including Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop artist Lisa. Celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton were also in attendance.