The US men’s national team had the perfect start to the 2026 World Cup. Playing on home soil and led by Mauricio Pochettino, the USA is an interesting team to watch, and the first game against Paraguay showed why. However, early in the match, it was a blunder by Paraguay that had people talking.
NFL World Reacts to Paraguay’s Own Goal vs. USA at World Cup
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was full of fans who watched as Team USA dictated the pace and terms initially. Then, around the seven-minute mark, Christian Pulisic cut through the Paraguay defenders and played the ball into the box.
Weston McKennie got a touch on the pass before it fell to Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla, who inadvertently deflected it into his own net. The stadium instantly burst into celebration, and social media immediately blew up with reactions, including from the NFL world.
Former Pro Bowl QB Robert Griffin III enjoyed the USA’s impressive start as he declared on X, “A goal is a goal no matter how you get it USA!!!”
A goal is a goal no matter how you get it
USA!!!
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 13, 2026
NFL analyst Brett Kollmann wrote on X, “absolutely bonkers move by Pulisic to slip through.”
absolutely bonkers move by Pulisic to slip through
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) June 13, 2026
Former NFL punter turned ESPN analyst Pat McAfee commented, “Pulisic’s cookin.”
Pulisic’s cookin.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 13, 2026
Ex-NFL running back Philip Lindsay posted on X, “USA 🇺🇸!!!”
“Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast page responded on X, “GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL USA SCORES EARLY 🇺🇸🦅”
GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL
USA SCORES EARLY 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/I7YUFkrQa7
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) June 13, 2026
Jay Glazer of “FOX NFL Sunday” posted on X, “Wowwwww. USA! USA!!”
The USA dominated the first half as Paraguay seemed to have dropped its shoulders. After a series of mistakes and fouls, it was a matter of time before Folarin Balogun put himself on the scoreboard with a goal of his own in the 31st minute.
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Griffin celebrated Team USA’s second goal by posting on X, “BALOGUN FOR THE GOOOOOOOOAL 2-0 USA! USA! USA!:us: #WorldCup”
BALOGUN FOR THE GOOOOOOOOAL
2-0
USA! USA! USA!🇺🇸#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/p8Ms15LZjh
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 13, 2026
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network noted, “This @USMNT offense is looking Sean McVay-esque in Definitely Not SoFi Stadium.”
Before USA vs. Paraguay kickoff, co-host Canada had a positive start as well, scoring its first point after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Meanwhile, Mexico had a dominant night against South Africa in a wild 2-0 win that saw three red cards.
The USA faces Australia next on Friday, June 19.
