World Cup 2026: The USA showcases its strength with a barrage of goals

Fueled by passionate support from the crowd at Los Angeles Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino's squad displayed formidable attacking power and reaffirmed their ambition to go deep in this year's tournament.

Right from the kickoff, Paraguay caught the US off guard with a dangerous chance, as Gomez forced goalkeeper Freese to make a save in the 2nd minute. However, that was one of the few notable moments for the South American side in the first half.

The US quickly regained control of the match and kept applying pressure on the opposition's half. Their efforts paid off in the 7th minute when Christian Pulisic dribbled at high speed down the left flank before sending a low cross into the box. In an attempt to block, midfielder Damián Bobadilla accidentally turned the ball into his own net, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

After the opening goal, the US grew in confidence. Quick combinations between Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun repeatedly unsettled Paraguay's defense. In the 31st minute, the lead was doubled. Pulisic again made an impact with a burst of speed and a well-timed pass, allowing former Arsenal striker Balogun to finish neatly into the bottom corner.

Before the first half ended, the US added a third goal. In the 45th minute, Malik Tillman set up Balogun, who unleashed a powerful shot from the center of the box, leaving goalkeeper Gill with no chance. The brace from the AS Monaco striker sent the hosts into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.

In the second half, the US remained in full control. Paraguay pushed forward in search of a consolation goal but faced a solid defensive setup from their opponents. Nevertheless, the South American team found a moment of hope in the 73rd minute. Julio Enciso executed a clever move before setting up Mauricio for a one-touch finish, reducing the deficit to 1-3.

However, that was all Paraguay could muster. For the remainder of the match, the US continued to create numerous clear-cut chances. Tillman, Weah, and Pepi all missed opportunities to extend the lead. It wasn't until the 7th minute of stoppage time that the hosts scored their fourth goal. Giovanni Reyna capped off an impressive performance with a deft outside-of-the-foot finish to beat goalkeeper Gill, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory for the US.