Paraguay crushed 4–1 by USA in World Cup opener
Paraguay stunned 4–1 by USA in World Cup opener
A nightmare start. Paraguay fell 4–1 to hosts USA in their Group D opener on Thursday, leaving qualification hopes on life support after just one match.
Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman, and Folarin Balogun all found the net for the Americans in a commanding performance (5) (7) (9). Mauricio Pochettino's tactical setup overwhelmed Paraguay from the opening whistle, with the US attack cutting through repeatedly (9).
You go into Sunday's fixtures bottom of Group D needing results elsewhere to go your way.
Makkelie gets global praise after USA–Paraguay
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie has drawn widespread acclaim for his handling of the Paraguay match, with fellow official Bas Nijhuis calling it a standout performance. "He's already earned his second match of the tournament, for sure," Nijhuis said (2) (4).
A specific intervention by Makkelie during the game has been discussed worldwide, with Nijhuis noting: "That call was well received globally" (4).
Dest's display against Paraguay catches Barcelona's eye
Sergino Dest tormented Paraguay's defense all night and now Barcelona are reportedly circling. The Catalan club has shown increasing interest in the US full-back following his World Cup showing against Paraguay (12).
Group D watch: Australia face Turkey on Sunday
Paraguay's group rivals Australia and Turkey meet Sunday in a match that directly shapes the path forward. A draw would keep both within reach. A decisive win for either side tightens the pressure on Paraguay ahead of their next fixture (1) (3) (6).
Fan reactions
The mood among Paraguay supporters online is grim but not without perspective. Some fans have noted the historical echo: the last time the US won a World Cup match by three goals was 1930, also against Paraguay. Others pointed to the staggering 24.9 million combined US viewership as a measure of the occasion's scale. Chris Richards' perfect 83-for-83 passing night, an Opta record dating to 1966, was another sobering stat circulating among fans.
Sources
- 1. fussballnationalmannschaft.net — Fußball heute Aufstellungen 1:0 – Australien vs Türkei bei der WM 2026
- 2. telegraaf.nl — Bas Nijhuis steekt de loftrompet over collega Danny Makkelie na sterk optreden op WK: ’Je kan er ook enorm de mist mee ingaan’
- 3. sportnieuws.nl — Live Groep D WK voetbal | Bekende gezichten treffen elkaar tijdens Australië - Turkije
- 4. voetbalprimeur.nl — Nijhuis lyrisch na WK-optreden Makkelie: 'Die ingreep is wereldwijd goed opgepakt'
- 5. ansa.it — Il nuovo 'Capitan America' è Balogun, nigeriano di New York
- 6. informador.mx — Dónde ver EN VIVO Australia vs Turquía en el grupo D que comparten con EU y Paraguay
- 7. repubblica.it — Ballando con le stelle: quattro gol degli Usa, un esordio da film
- 9. vi.nl — VS zweeft: Pochettino's tactieken uitgelegd
- 12. voetbalprimeur.nl — 'Barcelona verlekkert zich: steeds meer belangstelling voor WK-uitblinker Dest'