What we covered here
• US beats Paraguay 4-1: The USA played one of the best halves of soccer in the history of the men’s national team, sending three goals into the Paraguayan net in an incredible first half. The visitors scored one goal in the second half, but couldn’t get closer. The US added a goal in the final seconds, making the final score 4-1.
• Opening ceremonies: Future, Tyla, Lisa and Anitta headlined the celebrations in the US ahead of the match. Canada’s ceremony in Toronto featured performances from Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara.
• Canada opens with a draw: Canada concluded its opening World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 1-1 draw, scoring a second-half equalizer in front of a hype Toronto crowd.
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Cobertura en directo en español del Mundial en CNN en Español.
USA opens up World Cup journey with dominating win over Paraguay
What a way for the Americans to get their World Cup journey started, dominating Paraguay 4-1 to secure the full three points in their opening game.
After a Paraguay own goal, it was an offensive onslaught for the USMNT with striker Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Gio Reyna adding another one late in added time on the way to the win.
It was pure domination for the USMNT, controlling almost every aspect of the game.
The Americans finished with 65% possession to Paraguay’s 35% and six shots on target to a single one for La Albirroja.
After a completely dominant first 45 minutes, all eyes turned to why star Christian Pulisic was subbed off at halftime.
The 27-year-old said postgame that he was kicked in his left calf during the first half and was subbed off as a precaution. Pulisic downplayed the discomfort.
It was truly a historic night for the US as they scored more goals tonight than they did in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The USA scored only three combined goals in their four matches three-and-a-half years ago.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has faced his fair share of criticism since taking over in 2024 but after the commanding performance on Friday, it should quell any complaints until the USA’s next game against Australia at 3 p.m. ET on June 19 in Seattle.
Paraguay will face Turkey on June 19 in Santa Clara, California.
History made by the USA on SoFi Stadium's pitch
Folarin Balogun is now the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, after Bert Patenaude – who happened to score the World Cup’s first-ever hat-trick in the inaugural 1930 edition … against Paraguay, so less.
What’s more, this is the national team’s joint-biggest win at a World Cup, equalling the 3-0 victories against Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they finished third. The USA had never scored four goals in a World Cup match before tonight.
Can you imagine if the class of 2026 do similar … or better?! The other kind of football might be relegated.
The United States' next group games
Following the United States’ clash against Paraguay tonight, the team will have two more matches in group play.
On June 19 at 3 p.m. ET, the USMNT will take on Australia in Seattle. A week later on June 25 at 10 p.m. ET, the Americans are matched up against Turkey in Los Angeles – one of CNN Sports’ 10 group matches to watch.
The United States is following up its 2022 World Cup campaign where they reached the Round of 16. With the host nation advantage and a talented roster, the team is looking to make the most of their opportunity this year.
Christian Pulisic downplays halftime substitution after being kicked in the calf
A word on the status of Christian Pulisic, who was subbed off at halftime.
The American star said postgame that he was kicked in his left calf during the first half and was subbed off at halftime as a precaution. Pulisic downplayed the discomfort.
A brilliant, brilliant night for the Americans at the World Cup
Just brilliant from Team USA!
Let’s not get carried away but that was some performance by the Americans. In fact, I’d say performance of the tournament so far by some distance (even though there has only been four games).
That fourth goal was of the highest quality – well over 20 passes before an absolutely sublime finish from Gio Reyna.
The USA meets the moment
The stakes for the USA coming into this game were extraordinary.
This 2026 World Cup, 32 years after the 1994 tournament in the US, was meant to show the world how far the USA has come since the first time the world’s tournament came to the United States. The pressure was on a team that hasn’t advanced past the first knockout round in 24 years to show some potential.
Safe to say, job done.
A 4-1 win over Paraguay – not the most high-profile of teams, but no slouch either – is the tone-setting performance that the Stars and Stripes would have wanted. It’s one that will put not just the country but the whole tournament on notice.
The expectations for the USA are not huge for this tournament – just ask Gary Lineker – but a scintillating performance such as what took place on SoFi Stadium’s turf on Friday night is something that will exhilarate soccer fans and the soccer-curious around the country. A win tonight doesn’t exactly guarantee they’ll advance out of the group stage, but it’s a serious step toward the knockout rounds given this tournament’s expanded field.
It’ll be a week until they take on Australia in the cauldron of noise that is Lumen Field in Seattle.
USA holding on to a two-goal advantage in added time
The USA are close to winning their first group stage game as they hold a 3-1 lead with seven added minutes.
Tillman subbed off for Reyna with less than 10 min to go
USA midfielder Malik Tillman was taken off for Gio Reyna at the 81st minute.
The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player played a major role in the US’ offensive onslaught, providing an assist.
As for Christian Pulisic, the Fox broadcast said head coach Mauricio Pochettino will address his halftime sub after the game.
Paraguay breaks through with a goal
With Paraguay finally finding its footing, it felt like there could be a goal coming.
The moment came in the 73rd minute with a goal from Mauricio to cut the US advantage to 3-1.
Balogun subbed off after outstanding game
The USMNT’s major advantage has come in large part due to striker Folarin Balogun’s two goals.
The 24-year-old was given a rousing applause as he was subbed off in the 71st minute, replaced by Ricardo Pepi.
Along with Balogun, Sergiño Dest was taken off for Timothy Weah.
USA keeping up the pressure in second half
The USA might not have added any goals to their already large lead but the same pressure they showed in the first half has carried over into the second.
The Americans still hold a major possession advantage have four shots on target in comparison to Paraguay’s single shot.
The US still hold a 3-0 lead as the second half hydration break is upon us.
VAR review flips a yellow card from Tim Ream to Miguel Almirón
American captain Tim Ream was issued a yellow card by referee Danny Makkelie for a foul on Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón just outside the penalty area.
Ream was none too pleased, and a replay showed he had just cause. It did not appear that Ream made any contact with Almirón, who simply threw himself to the turf.
Moments later the video assistant referee called for a stoppage of play, and the yellow card was rescinded from Ream and given to Almirón for taking a dive.
Paraguay comes out of the locker room with renewed energy
Paraguay is showing signs of life after the halftime break.
For the first time in the game, the South American squad is testing the US defense, but the Paraguayans are in a deep hole trailing 3-0.
Second half is underway and Christian Pulisic is subbed out
And we are back underway for the second half at SoFi Stadium.
It is all USA as the Americans are up 3-0 over Paraguay.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic has been subbed off for Sebastian Berhalter to start the half.
An incredible performance has the US up 3-0. Can they sustain it?
Recency bias is a real thing, but a question has to be asked: Is that the best half of soccer the USA has ever played at the World Cup?
A 3-0 lead at halftime, the first time the Americans have ever had such an advantage at the intermission, and it really could have been more.
The question is now if the USA can sustain the pressure after the interval. In their friendlies just before the Cup began, the USA were able to show periods of scintillating play but then backed off and their leaky defense cost them a few goals.
Paraguay haven’t looked like they’re very interested in troubling the US net since the opening minutes, but the potential is there for the USA defense to give up a few chances.
Despite the plaudits being rained down on them from commentators and posters on social media right now, the USA can’t take their foot off the gas in the second half. Keep an eye on manager Mauricio Pochettino and his ability to keep his charges pushing – and staving off an inevitably adrenaline dump after that wild opening 45 minutes.
Halftime in Inglewood as the US leads Paraguay 3-0
It’s halftime at SoFi Stadium, and the opening 45 minutes were completely dominated by the US.
The Americans got an early advantage when Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla accidentally put the ball into his own goal in the 7th minute.
The USMNT doubled its lead in the 31st minute, and this time it was no fluke. Crisp American passing culminated as “Captain America” Christian Pulisic served a pass to Folarin Balogun for a clinical finish.
In the dying seconds of first half stoppage time, Balogun struck again. This time it was a moment of individual genius as the forward eluded Paraguayan defenders and put the ball into the upper corner to stake the US to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Balogun scores again to make it 3-0!
Folarin Balogun yet again does what he does best, score goals.
3-0 for the USA as halftime is near.
Another almost-chance for the USA before halftime
If we didn’t know any better, this USA squad would look like prime 2010s Spain with how they are playing so far.
Sergiño Dest ran past the Paraguay defense and almost shot it past goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who dealt with it with relative (key word) ease.
It remains 2-0 with five added minutes before halftime.
Paraguay can't find any offense
As halftime draws near, Paraguay can’t mount any type of sustained possession of the ball as the USA continues to threaten to add to its lead before intermission.
The break can’t come fast enough for the Paraguayans.
Chris Richards had a chance to make it 3 for USMNT
When we say its been all USMNT in this first half, we truly, truly, truly mean it.
Defender Chris Richards, not usually known for his goal-scoring capabilities at Crystal Palace, had a chance to make it a 3-0 game in the 37th minute but his header went just wide of the net.
The US currently hold a favorable possession percentage at 74% to Paraguay’s measly 26%.
