United States thrash Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opener in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The United States launched their World Cup campaign in commanding fashion on Friday, beating Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles with two goals from Folarin Balogun, a late Gio Reyna finish, and an early own goal setting the tone.

In the first World Cup match staged on US soil at this tournament, the home team went ahead inside seven minutes and had the match firmly under control by half-time, when they led by three goals.

A capacity crowd of 70,492 watched at the Los Angeles venue, with Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton among those in attendance. The United States, co-hosting the competition with Mexico and Canada, repeatedly pressed Paraguay back during a one-sided first half before Reyna completed the scoring deep into stoppage time. Brazil-born substitute Mauricio had earlier got Paraguay on the scoresheet.

The result immediately strengthens the Americans’ position in Group D, where Australia and Turkey are also competing.

The main concern for the hosts came at the interval, when Christian Pulisic was taken off. Pulisic remains central to US hopes as the team targets its deepest World Cup run since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002.

Paraguay made life difficult for themselves from the opening stages. Weston McKennie collected possession near the middle of the pitch in the seventh minute and surged forward before linking with Pulisic. After slipping between two defenders, Pulisic returned the pass to McKennie, whose ball toward Balogun was turned into the Paraguay net by Damian Bobadilla.

That breakthrough lifted the stadium and gave the United States full command of the contest. McKennie and Tillman both created openings with backheel passes into the penalty area, while captain Tim Ream controlled distribution from central defence.

Balogun thought he had scored in the 28th minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside, with both he and Pulisic caught ahead of the play. Three minutes later, the Monaco forward did get his goal. Antonee Robinson released Pulisic down the left, and Pulisic’s delivery to Balogun took a slight deflection before reaching the striker.

The third goal arrived just before half-time. Tillman sent Balogun into space on the right, and the forward got away from Omar Alderete, moved inside Gustavo Gomez, and bent a shot into the upper left corner.

The score could have been even heavier before the break. Chris Richards, back from injury, headed narrowly wide, while the United States finished the first half with 75 per cent possession.

Without Pulisic after half-time, the Americans eased off slightly, giving Paraguay room to threaten. Julio Enciso, who started despite a hamstring problem, found Mauricio near the area, and the substitute pulled one goal back.

Reyna later restored the three-goal margin with an excellent outside-of-the-foot strike with his right boot, curling the ball just inside the far post.

Before kickoff, the match was introduced by a Hollywood-styled opening ceremony. Katy Perry was the headline act, joined by Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop performer Lisa. Dancers moved around a huge World Cup trophy under large gold “FIFA” letters, a colour associated with US President Donald Trump, who was not at the game but wished the team well by phone before play began.