The United States made a stunning World Cup debut on Friday with a 4-1 victory over a sluggish Paraguay, a win that underscores the strength of Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino’s team and propels the hosts to the top of Group D in the World Cup.
The match began to take shape very early on, in the 7th minute, when nerves got the better of the Paraguayan team following a dangerous cross by Weston McKennie toward the penalty spot that Paraguayan defender Damián Bobadilla attempted to clear, only to have the ball end up in his own net.
The U.S. thrashes Paraguay
A winning start for 🇺🇸#FIFAWorldCup
– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 13, 2026
The U.S. offense struck again in the 31st minute, when Folarin Balogun, the star of the evening in California, scored the second goal of the match with a powerful shot, capitalizing on a precise assist from Christian Pulisic.
Balogun, the tournament’s leading scorer, popped up again in one of the final plays before halftime to complete his brace and make it 3-0—a decisive blow that effectively dashed the Guaraní side’s hopes before the teams headed into the break.
In the 72nd minute, Mauricio Magalhaes, who had come on in the second half to inject some pace into the Albirroja, scored his team’s first goal of the World Cup—a crucial strike that, for the time being, served to lift the spirits of the Guaraní squad.
But Gustavo Alfaro’s team’s efforts were in vain, as they ran out of steam in the final stretch—a situation that Giovanni Reyna capitalized on to make a statement and seal the rout with the final goal.
The U.S. team approached the match with a confident attitude, especially in the first half, buoyed by their home-field advantage.
Pochettino’s team was not only physically superior to their opponents, but they also managed to build an unstoppable offensive lead.
They took the one for “honor”
Paraguay, for its part, had very few chances during the game due to the suffocating pressure, which forced the South Americans to fall back and retreat into their own half in an attempt to stem the constant attacks from their opponents.
With the lead already secured, Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino decided to rest Pulisic for the second half, during which the team barely let up and continued to dominate the field.
Meanwhile, Alfaro’s team was trying to mount a heroic comeback to overcome the impossible against an opponent unwilling to relinquish control of the game.
Even with Mauricio’s goal, which capitalized on a defensive error by the home team, the course of the match hardly changed in any significant way, thus handing the World Cup host a victory that was, in part, a foregone conclusion.
The three points earned by the United States give them a crucial lead in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey. Pochettino’s team will play again on June 19 against Australia in Seattle.
For its part, Paraguay will look to bounce back that same Friday when it faces Turkey in Santa Clara, California.
The U.S.’s debut as host
Take a bow, Gio, for your first World Cup goal!
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 13, 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues this Friday, June 12, with one of the most anticipated matches of the first round: the United States’ debut against Paraguay in Group D.
The match will be played at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) and will mark the start of the World Cup campaign for Mauricio Pochettino’s team in front of their home fans.
Following the tournament’s opening ceremony and the first matches of the group stage, it is now the turn of one of the three host countries.
The United States is heading into this World Cup hoping to put on a strong showing on home soil and advance to the knockout stages—something it hasn’t achieved since its historic run at the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan, when it reached the quarterfinals.
However, the opening match won’t be easy. Paraguay is returning to the World Cup after a 16-year absence and is aiming to be one of the tournament’s dark horses.
The South American team is in the same group as the United States, Australia, and Turkey, in a group that promises to be one of the most competitive in the first round.
What time is the United States vs. Paraguay game?
Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, and Chris Richards shine in the @USMNT’sopening-match victory 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pdtPcVIPMb
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) June 13, 2026
The match in which the U.S. thrashes Paraguay, part of the first round of Group D in the 2026 World Cup between the United States and Paraguay, will be played this Friday, June 12, 2026.
Times in the United States:
9:00 p.m. ET
8:00 p.m. CT
7:00 p.m. MT
6:00 p.m. PT
Time in Mexico:
7:00 p.m. (Central Time)
The match will be held at Los Angeles Stadium, one of the main venues for the 2026 World Cup.
Where can I watch the United States vs. Paraguay LIVE?
Hispanic fans in the United States will be able to watch the match on the networks that hold the official broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup.
Including Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo, as well as authorized digital platforms.
In Mexico, the broadcast will be available on:
Channel 5
TV Azteca
TUDN
ViX Premium
A favorable track record for the United States
THE UNITED STATES KICKS OFF ITS WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN WITH A VICTORY!!! 🇺🇸✅@USMNT THRASHED Paraguay in their first World Cup match 🏆 with a BRACE from Folarin Balogun and a STUNNING GOAL from Gio Reyna.
Pochettino’s team will face Australia in their next match. Will they be able to… pic.twitter.com/oxfaEfParG
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 13, 2026
Although Paraguay is a historically competitive team, the odds are in the U.S. team’s favor.
In recent matches, the United States has achieved positive results and will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to start the tournament with three crucial points.
The pressure will be on the home team, which faces the challenge of delivering a strong performance in front of thousands of fans in Los Angeles.
A win would give them an early lead in a group stage where every point can make a difference.
El partido se disputará en el Estadio Los Ángeles (SoFi Stadium)
QuéOnnda.com
Paraguay is looking to pull off an upset
Together as One. pic.twitter.com/znRymjr7IX
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 13, 2026
The Albirroja is heading to the World Cup with the goal of proving that its return to the top international competition is no fluke.
After several years away, the South American team will be looking to start with a win to bolster their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
With an open group and no clear favorite, the match between the United States and Paraguay could turn out to be one of the most exciting games of the first round of the 2026 World Cup.
For both teams, the result will be crucial in the race for a spot in the round of 32 of the tournament.
For more information, visit NuevaOnda.com
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