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STAR\u2019S 96-YEAR FIRST GIVES US ONE FOOT IN KNOCKOUTS<\/p>\n
World Cup co-hosts the USA were in dreamland as they romped to a 4-1 victory against Paraguay in their tournament opener in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Three of Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s side goals came in the first half as they played with an electricity that caught not only the Paraguayan defence, but the whole world by surprise.<\/p>\n
Giovanni Reyna\u2019s outside of the foot strike in the 98th minute then make it a historic occasion as the USA scored four goals in a World Cup match for the second time.<\/p>\n
There was a nervous energy among the roughly 70,000 fans who packed out the home of the NFL\u2019s LA Rams and LA Chargers, which hosted the Superbowl in 2022, will do so again next year and will host the opening ceremony and the swimming events of the 2028 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
Their stress was relieved in just the seventh minute, however, as a Damian Bobadilla own goal gave the Americans the opener.<\/p>\n
FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES<\/a><\/p>\n WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE:Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina scores, updates and more<\/a><\/p>\n WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: USA vs Paraguay scores, updates and more<\/a><\/p>\n Folarin Balogun (c) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay.Source: AFP<\/p>\n Weston McKennie and Cristian Pulisic linked up impressively in the build up before McKennie\u2019s pass caught the boot of a scrambling Bobadilla and agonisingly, for the South Americans, trickled into the net.<\/p>\n The USA thought they had a second immediately after the first half hydration break when Folarin Balogun found the back of the net, but it was ruled out as Pulisic was found to have been offside in the build-up.<\/p>\n Balogun only needed to wait a few more minutes to get on the scoresheet as the striker for Ligue 1 club Monaco pounced on a Pulisic pass in the 31st minute.<\/p>\n Then in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time, Balogun slammed home his second to become the first American man to bag a World Cup brace in 96 years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my first World Cup and to start with two goals, I couldn\u2019t ask for much more, so happy,\u201d the Arsenal academy product said.<\/p>\n They made it to the Round of 16 in Qatar four years ago, but in one half, the USA matched their goal tally from the previous World Cup.<\/p>\n Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay.Source: AFP<\/p>\n Former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Pochettino\u2019s side experienced several teething issues in the lead-up to the tournament but unleashed a new attacking edge that was largely driven by blistering pace.<\/p>\n Paraguay is the lowest ranked team in Group D, but in qualifying they registered impressive results in defeating South American heavyweights Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.<\/p>\n They were all at sea in Los Angeles, however, as they simply could not handle the speed of America\u2019s attackers.<\/p>\n That was led by Pulisic, the 27-year-old AC Milan winger often dubbed \u2018Captain America\u2019 when representing his nation.<\/p>\n Pulisic repeatedly snuck out the back of the Paraguay defensive line, and they could not catch him as he played a key hand in almost every attack before being subbed off at half time.<\/p>\n While the game was still going, no reason was given by US officials for the substitution.<\/p>\n Pochettino address it in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n After saying he was \u201cso proud\u201d and \u201cso happy\u201d, the Argentine manager said Pulisic got a kick in the calf and started to feel tight at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n With a 3-0 lead at half-time, they opted to not take a risk.<\/p>\n Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States smiles during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Paraguay nabbed a goal back in the 73rd minute as a long ball created a scramble before substitute Mauricio broke free to fire a strike in the bottom right corner.<\/p>\n That created some nervous energy among the home fans, but the result was never seriously in doubt.<\/p>\n The co-hosts\u2019 performance also has likely set them on the path to the knockouts.<\/p>\n With a strong goal difference and eight third-place finishers making it the Round of 32, USA are well-placed to advance ahead of their remaining Group D meetings with Australia and T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n The three previous times they won their opening game, USA made it out of the group.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Socceroos Daily \u2014 Aussie teen linked with Spanish giant in bombshell report<\/a><\/p>\n World Cup Daily: Boots stolen, balls gone as England\u2019s prep thrown into disarray<\/a><\/p>\n