A host nation needs its opener to feel like an arrival, and the USMNT delivered in front of 70,492 at SoFi. Folarin Balogun — the New-York-born, London-raised striker who picked the United States over England and Nigeria — scored a first-half brace; an early Damián Bobadilla own goal and a late Gio Reyna strike finished the job, with Christian Pulisic laying on his third career World Cup assist.

The US led 3–0 at half-time for the first time in their World Cup history — a statement that they intend to be more than ceremonial hosts.

Weird & wonderful

Balogun is a one-man immigration map: born in the Bronx, raised in north London, an Arsenal academy graduate who plays his club football in Monaco — and now the centre-forward of the host nation.

The 4-1 scoreline flattered the USA relative to the underlying numbers: their 1.35 xG was modest for four goals, meaning Pochettino's side were ruthlessly clinical (6 shots on target, 4 goals) and aided by an early Bobadilla own goal that handed them a 7th-minute lead. With 65% possession and restricting Paraguay to just 0.47 xG and a single shot on target, the USA controlled the game without needing volume, and Balogun's first-half brace effectively killed it before the break. Paraguay's frustration showed in the discipline column — 17 fouls and 5 yellows to the USA's 13 fouls and lone Adams booking — while Mauricio's 73rd-minute goal was a rare moment of penetration that the xG gap suggests was against the run of play. Reyna's stoppage-time curler then padded a result that was more about USA efficiency than dominance in chance quality.