World Cup 2026: United States 4-1 Paraguay as Balogun runs riot

Balogun's double sinks Paraguay at SoFi

The United States made an emphatic start to World Cup 2026, beating Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. On a partly cloudy day at around 22°C, with Dutch referee Danny Makkelie in charge, the match was effectively decided before half-time.

An early own goal set the tone, and Folarin Balogun took over from there with two first-half strikes. Gio Reyna added a fourth deep into stoppage time. Paraguay's only reply came through Mauricio.

The numbers underline the control. The United States held 65% of possession, created four big chances to Paraguay's one, and registered an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.42 against 0.54. They mustered six shots on target; Paraguay managed just one, which goalkeeper saves data suggests was comfortably handled at the other end. Discipline was the only blot on Paraguay's evening — five yellow cards to the United States' one.

How Pochettino's side and Paraguay lined up

From a 7th-minute own goal to Reyna in the 98th

The United States were ahead inside seven minutes, an own goal off D. Bobadilla handing them the lead. Paraguay's response was to collect a booking — J. Caceres in the 10th — and the early pattern never really changed.

Balogun thought he had the second on 28 minutes, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. He did not have to wait long. On the half-hour he converted from Christian Pulisic's pass, and in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time he made it three, this time set up by Malik Tillman.

The interval brought changes, with Pulisic among those withdrawn. Paraguay reshuffled too and found a foothold on 73 minutes through Mauricio, assisted by J. Enciso, shortly after Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah had been introduced. That hope was brief. Paraguay's cards mounted — Almiron, Gomez, Arce and Alonso all booked — and in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time substitute Gio Reyna rounded off the scoring from A. Freeman's assist.

The favourites delivered, and the model agreed

There is no separate read on how the futbol.so community leaned for this one, so the official forecast does the talking. The model favoured the United States, giving them the strongest three-way chance of victory ahead of a draw or a Paraguay win.

Reality matched the projection almost to the letter. The official forecast even landed on the exact scoreline — United States 4, Paraguay 1 — which does not happen often.

Video highlights

Highlights | USA 4-1 Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Both sides leave Group D in good shape. After three matches the United States sit top on six points and have already reached the Round of 32, while Paraguay are through too, currently among the eight best third-placed teams that advance. The provisional nature of that standing means later results elsewhere still matter, but for now both are looking ahead rather than behind.