USMNT Make History With Four-Goal World Cup Rout of Paraguay

Folarin Balogun’s first-half brace and Gio Reyna’s stoppage-time trivela capped a record-setting 4-1 victory in Los Angeles, the first time an American squad has scored four goals in a World Cup match.

The United States Men’s National Team rewrote their World Cup record books on Saturday, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 at the Los Angeles Stadium in a Group D opener that showcased the firepower Mauricio Pochettino’s side will bring to the tournament.

The offensive explosion marked the first time the USMNT has scored three or more goals in a World Cup game since opening the 2002 tournament with a 3-2 victory over Portugal. More significantly, it was the first time an American squad has ever scored four goals in a World Cup match.

The scoring began early and without American intervention. In the seventh minute, an offensive surge forced Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla to turn the ball into his own net, gifting the United States an early lead.

Striker Folarin Balogun then took control. In the 31st minute, he received a crisp cutback pass from captain Christian Pulisic and finished clinically. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Balogun added his second with a beautiful curler into the top corner, sending the Los Angeles crowd into delirium.

Paraguay answered back late in the second half. In the 73rd minute, substitute Maurício capitalised on a loose clearance to pull one back, briefly threatening a comeback. But the United States sealed the statement win deep in stoppage time. In the 90th minute, super-sub Gio Reyna buried an exquisite trivela strike with the last kick of the game, making it 4-1.

The United States dominated possession with 63 percent and registered 17 shots, six on target, while limiting Paraguay to just eight attempts. American passing accuracy stood at 91 percent compared to Paraguay’s 74 percent.

Captain Christian Pulisic was surprisingly substituted at halftime. Pochettino confirmed post-game that Pulisic took a minor kick to the calf and was removed purely as a precaution. The injury is not believed to be serious.

An analysis by Accra Street Journal noted that the dominant victory slots the United States safely at the top of Group D. The team will next head north to face Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle on Friday, June 19, looking to secure early qualification for the knockout stage. For Paraguay, the heavy defeat leaves them with an uphill battle to advance.

Source: ASJ – Sports