US beat Paraguay 4-1 in dream start for World Cup co-hosts

The United States launched their home World Cup campaign in spectacular fashion, dismantling Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles to ignite early hopes of a deep tournament run. An own goal inside seven minutes set the tone, and the Americans never looked back, overwhelming their opponents with relentless pressure and sharp attacking combinations.

Folarin Balogun struck twice before halftime, first finishing a deflected cross and then curling a superb effort into the top corner after beating two defenders. Hollywood stars filled the sold‑out Rose Bowl as the co-hosts dominated possession and tempo, with Christian Pulisic influential before being withdrawn at the break as a precaution. Paraguay briefly threatened when substitute Mauricio pulled one back, but Gio Reyna restored the three‑goal cushion with a precise outside‑of‑the‑foot finish in stoppage time. The emphatic result places the US in a strong position in Group D, where Australia and Turkey await in the next matches.