USA dominated Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in a World Cup clash where Folarin Balogun's clinical finishing and an early own goal set the tone for a commanding home victory.
The United States entered this World Cup fixture seeking to build momentum in front of their home crowd. Paraguay arrived at SoFi Stadium looking to upset the hosts and make a statement in the tournament. The stage was set for an intriguing Group Stage encounter on June 13, 2026.
USA struck within seconds of the opening whistle. Defender Darío Bobadilla deflected the ball into his own net in the 7th minute, gifting the hosts an early advantage. The own goal set an uncomfortable tone for Paraguay's defensive setup.
Folarin Balogun doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a composed finish. The forward found space in the penalty area and calmly converted his chance. Balogun's movement and positioning proved too much for Paraguay's backline to handle.
Just before halftime, Balogun struck again. In the 45th minute, the striker added his second goal of the match. USA headed into the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage, controlling possession at 65 percent and limiting Paraguay to just one shot on target.
The second half began with Paraguay determined to reduce the deficit. However, USA's defense held firm through the opening stages. The hosts managed the game intelligently, keeping possession and frustrating their opponents.
Paraguay grabbed a consolation goal in the 73rd minute when Mauricio fired past the USA goalkeeper. The goal provided brief encouragement for the visitors but came too late to threaten the outcome. USA remained firmly in control despite the deficit.
Giovanni Reyna sealed the victory in the 90th minute with a fourth goal. The substitute made an immediate impact, firing into the net to cap a dominant performance. USA's attacking prowess proved decisive throughout the ninety minutes.
The statistics told the story of USA's superiority. The hosts registered 16 total shots with 6 on target, compared to Paraguay's 9 shots with just 1 on target. USA's expected goals (xG) of 1.27 exceeded Paraguay's 0.51, reflecting the quality of chances created.
Balogun's performance earned him a 9.2 rating after 72 minutes on the pitch. The forward completed his double with clinical finishing, demonstrating why he proved crucial to USA's attack. Midfielder Malik Tillman contributed with two key passes and a 7.5 rating.
USA's midfield controlled proceedings with 596 passes completed at 85 percent accuracy. Paraguay struggled to build rhythm, managing only 320 passes at 72 percent accuracy. The possession dominance reflected USA's tactical control and superior execution.
This commanding victory positions USA well in their World Cup group. The four-goal margin demonstrated attacking quality and defensive solidity. Paraguay faces a difficult path forward after this heavy defeat at SoFi Stadium.
