The USA looked a class apart when it took the field on Friday in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under the glitz and glamour of the Los Angeles Stadium, and with Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical masterclass, they totally dismantled Paraguay with a 4-1 score, making a statement and impressing the NFL world.
NFL World Reacts to USA’s Dominant World Cup Win Over Paraguay
The USA team set the tone of the game early, when Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla, in an attempt to clear the ball, scored a disastrous own goal in the 7th minute. It all went downhill after that.
Then, in the 30th minute, Folarin Balogun doubled the Americans’ advantage. Not content with a two-goal cushion, Balogun struck again in first-half stoppage time, securing a brace and giving the hosts a 3-0 lead heading into the tunnel.
Paraguay momentarily threatened a historic comeback in the second half when Maurício pulled one back for the visitors in the 72nd minute, making it 3-1. However, Pochettino’s changes eased the pressure. The coach injected fresh legs, introducing Ricardo Pepi and Timothy Weah to sustain the relentless forward pressure.
In the dying embers of the match, it was fellow substitute Giovanni Reyna who put the exclamation point on the beatdown. The reactions on social media were immediate.
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ESPN’s official X handle wrote, “AURA. 🇺🇸”
AURA. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vYXenxmbvB
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2026
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes commented on his X handle, “🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸”
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Former Pro Bowl QB Robert Griffin III posted on his X handle, “GIO REYNA WITH THE FLICK OF THE FOOT FOR THE GOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLL 🇺🇸 USA WINS 4-1.”
Gregg Berhalter to Mauricio Pochettino pic.twitter.com/ZMKoEWV8t2
— Nico (@elitetakes_) June 13, 2026
NFL analytics expert and founder of “Sharp Football Analysis” Warren Sharp said, “absolute domination.”
Former ESPN host Trey Wingo noted, “3 points for the win and +3 goal differential. A PERFECT start for Team USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸”
Just a masterpiece. What an effort. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 When this group has an opening, at a minimum, you see the talent. Aggressive, creative, confident.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) June 13, 2026
New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman declared, “What a start, boys. Head down, keep improving. #USMNT”
“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,” Pochettino remarked post-match. “The first 45 minutes were amazing, difficult to find a team to play like this. So happy and so proud.”
With an emphatic 4-1 victory, 3 points secured, and a +3 goal differential, the USA’s World Cup campaign is up and running with a bang. They now face Australia next on June 19.
