United States thrash Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup home debut as field invader is immediately floored

The United States began their World Cup 2026 journey in style, overwhelming Paraguay 4-1 in front of a sell-out crowd in Inglewood, California. Mauricio Pochettino’s side led 3-0 at half-time and never looked back, securing the largest World Cup victory in the nation’s history.

A fast start and a first-half blitz

Christian Pulisic caused havoc down the left flank from the opening whistle. In the seventh minute, his run ended with a low cross that Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla turned into his own net. The US doubled their lead when Pulisic squared for Folarin Balogun to finish with his right foot in the 31st minute. Balogun struck again deep into first-half stoppage time, cutting inside and curling a left-footed shot into the top corner to make it 3-0 after 45+5 minutes.

The pitch invasion that lasted one second

As the match entered its closing stages, a spectator with a ball attempted to leap from the stands onto the field. Video posted on social media showed the man perched on the wall before jumping. At least ten security personnel immediately swarmed him, pinning him to the ground before he could take a second step. The moment was widely mocked online, with one user calculating the costs of a $2,000 ticket, fines, bail and a lifetime ban for what they called “a total failure.”

VAR sparks a rules row

Early in the second half, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie showed a yellow card to US defender Tim Ream for a foul on Miguel Almirón. Spanish VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande then called for a review. Initially announced as a possible case of mistaken identity, the review instead resulted in Ream’s card being rescinded and Almirón being booked for simulation. The decision ignited debate because VAR protocol for this tournament does not explicitly allow an on-field review to penalise simulation; it marked the first major officiating controversy of the competition.

Paraguay’s reply and Reyna’s final flourish

Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Mauricio Prado finished an attack assisted by Julio Enciso. The goal briefly narrowed the deficit to 3-1, but the US remained in control. Deep into added time, substitute Giovanni Reyna wrapped up the scoring with a deft trivela finish in the 90+8th minute, sealing the 4-1 rout.

Hosts and guests: the day’s other action

The opening ceremony, held before the match, featured performances by rapper Future and pop star Katy Perry, with Hollywood figures including Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Lucas in attendance. President Donald Trump did not appear; he was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Earlier on Friday, Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto, earning their first-ever World Cup point at the seventh attempt. Mexico had already beaten South Africa 2-0 the previous day.