U.S. beats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opener, TV record

The United States men's national soccer team delivered a commanding performance to open its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, defeating Paraguay 4-1 before a sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The victory on Friday, June 12, was a comprehensive display that set a record as the most-watched U.S. World Cup match ever on both English and Spanish-language television.

Star midfielder Christian Pulisic was instrumental in the win, setting up two goals before being substituted at halftime as a precaution after receiving a knock to his left calf. He later downplayed the injury, expressing confidence he would be fit for the team's next match. Forward Folarin Balogun scored twice in his World Cup debut, marking the first multi-goal game by an American in the tournament since 1930.

The U.S. took control early. In the seventh minute, a sequence started by Pulisic and involving midfielder Weston McKennie resulted in an own goal by Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla. Balogun extended the lead in the 31st minute, finishing a pass from Pulisic, and added his second just before halftime with a left-footed shot into the top corner. Paraguay's Mauricio scored in the 73rd...