Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side’s first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla of Paraguay (not pictured), to go up 1-0 in the 7th minute during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday.Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Team USA made a huge statement on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup match at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The U.S. wasted no time in taking the lead early in the match on an own goal in the 7th minute, when the ball bounced off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla and into the net. Striker Folarin Balogun added two goals for Team USA, first in the 31st minute of the match, then in stoppage time of the first half, with a brilliant strike into the top left corner of the goal to give his team a 3-0 lead. Balogun, who made his World Cup debut, became the first multigoal performance from a U.S. player in the tournament since 1930.

Paraguay finally got on the board when midfielder Mauricio scored in the 73rd minute to make it 3-1. Winger Gio Reyna added the final goal of the match with a strike during extra time. Christian Pulisic created the first two goals for Team USA in the seventh minute of the match, then a pass to the trailing Balogun, who put the ball in the back of the net. The win gives the U.S. three points and puts it atop Group D, which includes Australia and Turkey, who will face off Saturday. The U.S.’s next match is against Australia on June 19 in Seattle. The 4 goals for Team USA were the most they had scored in a World Cup opening match.

The expansion to 48 teams makes it easier to emerge from the group stage. With the win over Paraguay, plus either a second win against Australia or Turkey or a draw against both teams, would likely be enough for the U.S. to advance to the knockout round — though the U.S. could earn a more advantageous path if it finishes the group stage in first place.