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United States Opens World Cup with Win Against Paraguay
United States emerged victorious over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in their first fixture of World Cup. The game concluded with a 4-1 scoreline, after 3-0 in the first half. In the seventh minute, United States made it 1-0 through an own-goal. In the 31st minute Folarin Balogun increased the lead for United States with an assist by Christian Pulisic. United States made it 3-0 after 45 minutes. It took until the 73rd minute before Mauricio reduced the score Paraguay with an assist by Julio Enciso. The 4-1 goal came in stoppage time when Giovanni Reyna netted for United States with an assist by Alex Freeman. United States play Australia on 19 June and Türkiye on 26 June. Paraguay's next opponents are Türkiye on 20 June and Australia on 26 June.
Co-hosts USA meet Paraguay in a tricky World Cup opener
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match, United States of America vs. Paraguay, begins at 02:00 [GMT] on Saturday, June 13, at Los Angeles Stadium. Danny Makkelie [NED] will be the referee for this match, while Carlos del Cerro Grande [ESP] will be the VAR. Co-hosts the USA begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey with a tricky encounter against Paraguay, looking to make a positive statement in front of their home supporters. Having reached the knockout rounds in each of their last three World Cup appearances, the Americans will be confident of progressing once again, but recent results suggest they cannot afford to underestimate their South American opponents. The USMNT has built a reputation for consistency in the group stage, losing only one of their last nine World Cup group matches [3W, 5D, 1L], a defeat that came against eventual 2014 champions Germany. The Stars and Stripes are also unbeaten in their last three tournament openers, recording one win and two draws since 2010 [1W, 2D, 0L]. However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side arrives at the finals with mixed momentum after suffering three defeats in their last five matches [WLLWL], although those losses all came against higher-ranked oppositions. Encouragingly for the hosts, recent meetings with Paraguay have gone their way. They have won each of the last three encounters between the nations, all by a one-goal margin [3W, 0D, 0L], and they will hope to continue that trend in what is their first World Cup clash since a commanding 3-0 victory back in 1930. Folarin Balogun may be seen at the attacking end of the USA's 4—2—3—1 formation against the Guaraníes. Meanwhile, fitness concerns surrounding Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, and Antonee Robinson could, however, give Pochettino something to think about. Paraguay returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after an impressive qualification campaign under Gustavo Alfaro. Their challenge has been at the opposite end of the pitch, where they averaged less than a goal per game during qualification, the joint-lowest among teams to reach the tournament. The Guaraníes arrive in good spirits after winning three of their last five matches [LWWLW] and will believe their organised defensive structure can frustrate the hosts. Yet history is not on their side, as Paraguay have managed only one victory in their last eight World Cup openers [1W, 4D, 3L]. A 4—4—2 pattern with Antonio Sanabria and Miguel Almirón in the frontline is expected against USMNT. Meanwhile, key player Julio Enciso is ruled out of this clash due to an injury.
