USA Demolished Paraguay 4-1 - Record World Cup Start in a Packed SoFi
Balogun hat-trick, own goal on the 7th minute, Reyna sealed it on the 97th. Hosts scored four in one World Cup match for the first time ever.
Anyone still wondering if the World Cup 2026 hosts were ready got their answer in 90 minutes. USA demolished Paraguay 4:1 at their tournament opener in SoFi: 70,492 fans, a ceremony with Katy Perry and Future, and football that looked like a serious ambition statement.
Paraguay’s own goal on the 7th minute - and it was already 1:0. Folarin Balogun had a hat-trick by halftime: 2:0, 3:0. By the break the score looked like the opponent forgot why they flew to Los Angeles.
Numbers that beat any speech:
- First time ever the USA scored 4 goals in a single World Cup match
- In one half - as many as the entire Qatar 2022 run
- A 4-goal win - matching the best result from 1930
Paraguay pulled one back: Mauricio on the 73rd. But on the 97th Gio Reyna sealed the record for good - 4:1, three points, top of Group D.
Pochettino got exactly the start host-nation coaches dream about: home stadium, noise, control, and an opponent who looked completely lost. Paraguay returned to the World Cup after 16 years - and flew home feeling like the tournament started way too fast.
Next up for the USA - Australia. Paraguay needs an urgent reset before Turkey.
But tonight belongs to America. SoFi exploded, and the World Cup hosts finally look like hosts.