Official lineups for USA-Paraguay:
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
Antonio Sanabria is replaced by Alex Arce.
Yellow for Adams
USA's Tyler Adams is cautioned for an infringement on Mauricio.
Tillman's effort blocked
Malik Tillman receives a pass in the box and strikes a first-time volley but a Paraguay defender throws himself in front and blocks it.
Yellow card for diving
Late VAR intervention. Miguel Almiron is shown yellow for simulation.
Paraguay finally shows some bite
Diego Gomez fires from inside the box, but the shot is well blocked by the USA defence. Paraguay have won a corner, and there's a newfound intensity as they return from the break.
Back for the second half
Half-time
The co-hosts are in complete control. Balogun's brace and complete dominance have set the tone. Paraguay need a miraculous second-half turnaround to get anything from this.
And its threeeeee!!!!
A through ball finds Balogun in behind, and he rounds the Paraguay goalkeeper with ease before slotting into the empty net. The USA striker is having a field day.
5 minutes of added time
So close to a third!
Chris Richards rises to a corner and thumps a header that grazes the post. So close to making it 3-0.
The hosts mean business
This USMNT side possesses serious firepower in attack. USA didn't come to the World Cup to play around.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLL
Just 1 minute after his offside, the Monaco striker strikes again and this time the flag stays down. Balogun converts to extend USA's lead.
Offside flag flies up
Balogun looks to have beaten Paraguay's goalkeeper with a clinical finish, but Danny Makkelie brings play back for offside.
Another for USA?
Play resumes
The break gives Gustavo Alfaro's side a moment to catch their breath and regroup. Can the Albirroja use this respite to settle their nerves and mount some sort of resistance?
It's time for an hydration break
Another chance for USA
Juan Caceres is penalised for holding. Danny Makkelie awards a free kick to the hosts in a decent position, but nothing comes of it.
Team USA suffocating Paraguay
USA have been relentless since their opening goal. Paraguay are pinned back, struggling to breathe.
For the first time since 1994, the United States hosts the World Cup. On Friday at 9:30pm ET, Team USA takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their Group D opener.
The USMNT and Paraguay have faced each other three times in competitive matches, with the US holding a 2-1 record. Their most recent encounter came during World Cup qualifying in 2021, when the Americans won 3-0 in Columbus. Paraguay, ranked 69th in the world, will be looking to pull off an upset on American soil.
The US enters the tournament with growing momentum, having won their last four friendlies and boasting a squad that blends experienced European-based talent with emerging MLS stars. Coach Gregg Berhalter has overseen a team seeking to prove that American soccer belongs on the world stage. Over 70,000 supporters are expected to fill SoFi Stadium for what promises to be a charged atmosphere – a test of whether US.soccer can capture the nation's imagination.
The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring American pop icon Katy Perry and performances celebrating the host nation's diversity and soccer culture.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
