The United States have launched their World Cup campaign with 4-1 shellacking of Paraguay, sending an ominous warning to the Socceroos and other rivals in a potent opening half.
The World Cup co-hosts seized a 3-0 halftime lead in front of a heaving sold-out crowd of 70,492 in Los Angeles, where Tom Cruise, David Beckham, George Lucas and Bill Gates were among the spectators.
Folarin Balogun scored twice after an early own goal from Damian Bobadilla.
Paraguay pulled one back through Mauricio in the 73rd minute, but it failed to halt the party at SoFi Stadium and live sites dotted around the country.
Gio Reyna added a stunning fourth goal for the hosts deep into second-half injury time, delivering a fitting exclamation mark ahead of their clash with Australia on June 19 (June 20, AEST).
