USA 4–1 Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Report
Group D | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Inglewood) | June 12, 2026
Overview
The United States lit up SoFi Stadium with a dominant 4–1 demolition of Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener — their first multi-goal World Cup win in 24 years. Three first-half goals — an own goal from Damian Bobadilla and a Folarin Balogun brace — had the co-hosts cruising by half-time. Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio to give the scoreline a hint of nerves, but substitute Giovanni Reyna put the game to bed in the 98th minute with a late fourth goal. It was a commanding statement from Pochettino's golden generation, and one of the most impressive opening performances the USMNT has ever delivered.
Starting Lineups
USA — 3-4-2-1
Position: Player
GK: Matt Freese
CB: Chris Richards
CB: Tim Ream(c)
CB: Alex Freeman
RWB: Sergiño Dest
CM: Weston McKennie
CM: Tyler Adams
LWB: Antonee Robinson
RAM: Malik Tillman
LAM: Christian Pulisic
ST: Folarin Balogun
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Paraguay — 4-2-3-1
Position: Player
GK: Roberto Fernandez
RB: Juan Caceres
CB: Gustavo Gomez(c)
CB: Omar Alderete
LB: Junior Alonso
DM: Damian Bobadilla
DM: Andres Cubas
RAM: Diego Gomez
CAM: Julio Enciso
LAM: Miguel Almiron
ST: Antonio Sanabria
Manager: Gustavo Morínigo (Julio Enciso — started despite thigh concern)
Match Events Timeline
First Half
7' — ⚽ OWN GOAL — Damian Bobadilla (Paraguay)
The fastest World Cup goal in USMNT history. Pulisic drives at the Paraguay defence from the left and his low cross deflects sharply off Bobadilla and into his own net. SoFi Stadium erupts. USA 1–0.
20' — Disallowed Goal — Balogun (USA)
Balogun appears to put the USA 2–0 up, but celebrations are muted as the flag goes up for offside. VAR confirms — both Balogun and Pulisic on the build-up were marginally off. Goal correctly ruled out.
22' — VAR — Yellow Card Switched: Almiron (Paraguay)
Referee awards a yellow card to Tim Ream for a foul on Miguel Almiron — but a VAR review for mistaken identity overturns it. Replays clearly show Almiron went down without contact. The card is switched: yellow card to Almiron for simulation. A decisive moment that earns USA an advantage.
31' — ⚽ GOAL — Folarin Balogun (USA) — (Assist: Christian Pulisic)
Balogun doubles the lead with a clinical finish. Pulisic slips a perfectly-weighted pass through the Paraguay midfield and Balogun, finding space in the centre, taps in with composure. His form from Monaco carries straight into the World Cup. USA 2–0.
45+5' — ⚽ GOAL — Folarin Balogun (USA)
What a way to end the half. Balogun gets his second right on the stroke of half-time — a thunderous strike that leaves Fernandez with no chance. Three first-half goals and USA are in complete control heading into the break.
Half-Time: USA 3–0 Paraguay
Second Half
46' — 🔄 Substitution — Sebastian Berhalter on for Christian Pulisic (USA)
Pochettino rests Pulisic at half-time — a bold call that signals the game is already won. Berhalter comes in to shore things up.
55' — 🔄 Substitution — Bobadilla off for Mauricio (Paraguay)
Damian Bobadilla — scorer of the own goal — is taken off by Paraguay as they look to change the dynamic.
73' — ⚽ GOAL — Mauricio (Paraguay)
The USA defence is caught napping. Mauricio, fresh off the bench, exploits a moment of slack defending to slot past Freese and give Paraguay a consolation. A reminder for Pochettino's side that concentration cannot drop. USA 3–1.
75' — 🔄 Multiple Substitutions — Both Teams
- USA: Tim Weah on for Dest; Ricardo Pepi on for Balogun
- Paraguay: Ramon Sosa, Gustavo Velazquez, Kaku all come on; players with yellow cards managed off
80' — 🔄 Substitution — Giovanni Reyna on for Malik Tillman (USA)
Reyna — the returning son — enters to a roar from the crowd. He has been electric in training and arrives hungry to make an impact.
84' — Chance — Pepi (USA)
Pepi rises to meet a cross and gets a header away, but it clips the bar via a block by a Paraguay defender. The corner is controversially not given, but VAR cannot award corners — only take them away.
90+8' — ⚽ GOAL — Giovanni Reyna (USA)
The perfect full stop. Reyna caps a stunning USA performance with a late goal to make it 4–1. It draws echoes of his influential performances and seals a historic night for American soccer on home soil.
Full-Time: USA 4–1 Paraguay
Final Stats
Stat: USA vs Paraguay
Goals: 4 - 1
Shots on Target: 6 - 2
Yellow Cards: 0 - 1 (Almiron — simulation)
Red Cards: 0 - 0
Formation: 3-4-2-1 - 4-2-3-1
Key Takeaways
- USA's first multi-goal World Cup win in 24 years, a dominant, statement performance on home soil.
- Folarin Balogun was unplayable, scoring twice including a stunning strike right on the stroke of half-time. He announced himself on the biggest stage in style.
- VAR drama in the 22nd minute, Tim Ream's yellow card was switched to Almiron after replays confirmed simulation. A pivotal call that kept momentum firmly with the USA.
- Giovanni Reyna, capped the night with a late fourth goal, completing a perfect evening for Pochettino's golden generation.
- Paraguay's consolation in the 73rd, is worth noting — it could matter for goal difference if eight third-place finishers compete for knockout spots.
