USA stoke belief in wildest World Cup dreams after dismantling Paraguay in perfect opener
Mauricio Pochettino had spent the past few days summoning belief in what the USA might achieve in the face of scepticism. Can they win the World Cup, he was repeatedly asked, to which his stock response was: “Why not? We can dream.” After this hugely impressive 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, perhaps Pochettino’s task now is to manage inflated expectations, to temper America’s wildest dreams.
The first half in particular was 45 minutes of perfection, broken only by three minutes of needless hydration. One of America’s nagging concerns in recent years has been the lack of a ruthless striker but Monaco forward Folarin Balogun scored three times, one of which was ruled out for offside, and the last of which was a brilliantly composed and precise finish into the top corner of Orlando Gill’s goal.
That strike wrapped a half full of endeavour and spirit, but also technical quality and intelligent movement. Pochettino has spent most of his two-year reign as manager testing and tweaking, trying to find the right balance between attack and defence, between left and right, and here his team worked in seamless sync.
Lawrence Ostlere reports from SoFi Stadium:
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Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi Stadium13 June 2026 05:00
Mauricio Pochettino has hailed the support of the American fans as the US got off to the perfect start at the World Cup.
“Amazing,” he said. “That is what we were waiting for. When you talk about America, that passion, that feeling. Now they realise that soccer in America is massive, it’s big.”
(Getty)
Will Castle13 June 2026 06:30
Will Castle13 June 2026 06:15
Why did VAR overturn Tim Ream’s yellow card during USA v Paraguay?
USA received an unusual reprieve during their opening World Cup game against Paraguay as captain Tim Ream had his yellow card overturned following an intervention by VAR.
USA were leading 3-0 when Ream chased Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron towards America’s byline. Almiron went to ground and Ream was shown a yellow card for his challenge, but replays showed there was no contact between the pair and that Almiron had dived.
The game was paused as “VAR check – mistaken identity” flashed up on giant screens around the SoFi Stadium. And after the Dutch referee, Danny Makkelie, consulted his pitchside monitor, he rescinded the yellow card shown to US defender Ream and instead issued a yellow to Almiron for simulation.
The moment was bizarre. VAR interventions are not allowed for correcting yellow cards and are restricted to moments in the game involving goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity. But this appeared not to be a case of mistaken identity but simply a mistake by the referee in his reading of the incident.
Will Castle13 June 2026 06:00
Empty seats at USA’s opening World Cup match after ticket price controversy
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses for the USA’s World Cup image…
The USA’s opening match played out in front of more empty seats to raise further questions about Fifa’s ticket prices for the tournament.
The World Cup co-hosts played their first match against Paraguay at the 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but it failed to sell out. Pockets of empty seats could be seen clearly in the middle and lower tiers either side of the halfway line, in some of the most expensive parts of the stadium.
Tickets remained on sale in the hours before kick-off but at extremely high prices, ranging between $1,940 and $2,735 in the Category 1 and Category 2 tiers. Last month, US president Donald Trump even said he “wouldn’t pay” the four-figure prices fans were quoted for to attend the USA-Paraguay match.
Will Castle13 June 2026 05:45
Will England be regretting letting Folarin Balogun slip through their grasp?
A reminder that Folarin Balogun, a youth product of Arsenal, was an England U21 international before switching allegiance to the USA.
He’s been thriving at Monaco this season, bagging 19 goals, and has clearly carried that form into the World Cup. It was some display from the striker tonight.
He obviously wouldn’t be starting ahead of Harry Kane – but given the questions around his deputy, should England be regretting letting Balogun slip through their grasp?
(AP)
Will Castle13 June 2026 05:30
“So, so proud,” US manager Pochettino said. “Players and staff deserved big credit for this performance.
“The most important is the performance and the feeling. We know it is only the start and it is nothing. It is only one game. Now we need to be intelligent to keep [going] in that direction.
“But we are so happy because the first game is always so difficult, hosting the World Cup, the expectation but we managed the expectation and pressure. The first 45 minutes were amazing, difficult to find a team to play like this. So happy and so proud.”
(Reuters)
Will Castle13 June 2026 05:15
Australia and Turkey begin their campaign tomorrow evening, but let’s just confirm how Group D looks after tonight’s result:
1. United States – 3 points, +3 GD
2. Australia – 0 points, 0 GD
3. Turkey – 0 points, 0 GD
4. Paraguay – 0 points, -3 GD
Will Castle13 June 2026 04:50
Pochettino: No risk taken with Pulisic
Mauricio Pochettino has provided an update on Christian Pulisic’s fitness after bringing off his star winger at half-time.
“He received a kick in his calf and he felt tight at the end of the first half,” he said. “We didn’t want to take any risks.
“It was difficult for him to walk but hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one.”
(Getty)
Will Castle13 June 2026 04:40
Folarin Balogun for golden boot?
Folarin Balogun has taken the lead in the World Cup golden boot race!
Yes, there have only been five games. But the US striker is nevertheless the first to strike brace this tournament, meaning he leaps above all to the top of the goalscoring charts.
May need a fair few more to stay there, mind you.
(Getty)
Will Castle13 June 2026 04:30