FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The 2026 World Cup has begun and the United States team sent a strong message in the first match, recording a deep and historic victory.
Mauricio Pochettino's side produced a performance that will be hard to forget, triumphing over Paraguay in Inglewood, California. The final score reflected only a fraction of what was seen on the pitch, as the Americans completely dominated and showed they are ready to respond to the demands of this competition.
For years, the American representative has been trying to change the image of U.S. soccer both domestically and internationally. In the opening match of the World Cup, she presented a face that showed she could handle the pressure of the biggest stage and seize the moment.
The match was decided in the opening minutes. In just the 7th minute, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie teamed up in a move where the Americans' pressure forced the Paraguayan defense to concede an own goal for a 1-0 lead.
The second half was even better for the home team. With their confidence growing, Paraguay were unable to keep up with the pace of the game. In the 31st minute, Pulisic created a chance, while Folarin Balogun finished with a quick strike to make it 2-0.
Shortly before the end of the first half, Balogun struck again. He took advantage of Malik Tillman's pass, eluded two defenders and with a spectacular finish into the top corner of the goal made the score 3-0, scoring his second personal goal.
The only negative note for the USA came in the 73rd minute, when Mauricio narrowed the gap to 3-1 after a move that the American defense mismanaged.
However, Pochettino's team did not let the game change. In the final moments of the match, Gio Reyna sealed the final score 4-1, culminating an evening that went down in history.
The four goals scored constitute the USA's best offensive performance in a World Cup match, breaking a record that had stood since 1930, when the Americans had won 3-0 against Belgium and also against Paraguay.
lineups
USA: Freese, Dest (72' Pepi), Richards, Robinson, Ream, Freeman, Adams, McKennie, Tillman (82' Reyna), Pulisic (46' Berhalter), Balogun (72' Weah).
Paraguay : Gil, Alderete, Cáceres (79' Velázquez), Alonso, Gómez (80' Kakú), Almirón (79' Sosa), Bobadilla (46' Mauricio), Cubas, Gómez, Sanabria (62' Barrios), Enciso.
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