The cheapest ticket for the match between the United States and Paraguay, at the modern Sofi Stadium, in Los Angeles, was sold by FIFA for 1,120 dollars (around 5,500 reais). Other sectors, closer to the countryside, were quoted for values ​​that reached 1,940 dollars (approximately 9,500 reais) on the entity's official channels. Thus, on the eve of the match, more than 4,400 tickets were still available for sale on the internet and, in an attempt to sell tickets at the last minute, secondary resale portals recorded price drops, although the value was still at 800 dollars (4,050 reais). Related news: Canada and Bosnia are tied in their World Cup debut: 1-1. Ancelotti highlights set pieces and ensures Brazil is competitive in the World Cup. Mexico opens the World Cup by beating South Africa in a duel with three expulsions. Worse for the Paraguayans, who paid dearly to see their team play poorly in their debut at the 2026 World Cup. They created little and constantly suffered from the North Americans' fast and dynamic attack. The 4-1 final score reflected well what the fans saw on the field. There is a common saying among tourists who go to the USA. To spend without remorse, they often say: those who convert don't have fun. In this case, the Paraguayans didn't even need to find out how much they spent on guaranies for a seat at the stadium in Los Angeles. The fun was only on the side of the hosts. Anitta and Kate Perry in the pre-game An hour and a half before the ball rolled, with many empty spaces still in the stands of the Los Angeles stadium, the opening ceremony of the World Cup took place for the North American public. The highlight was South African Tyla and Brazilian Anitta, who formed a trio with rapper Rema and singer Lisa, from the K-Pop genre. Closer to the start of the match, singer Kate Perry, born in California, sang a single theme song to a much larger audience, which was already able to cover all the stadium's galleries with red and white colors, in support of the United States. Finally, FIFA announced that 70,492 people went to the Sofi Stadium. The game The duel marked a meeting between two Argentine coaches, Maurício Pochettino for the North Americans and Gustavo Alfaro for the Paraguayans. With the ball rolling, the United States continued with the party that began at the opening ceremony. After just 6 minutes, Pulisic, Milan's star from Italy, invades the Paraguayan area, McKennie rolls into the middle, the ball hits Bobadilla's foot and goes into the back of the net. Own goal, a gift that not even the hosts expected to receive so soon: 1-0. At 15, right-back Dest had the chance to score the second goal, but he got the ball too far forward, which he received free, and lost the angle. He tried to cross and got, at most, a corner. At 27, Balogun even scored the second goal, but the shot, inside the area, was invalidated due to offside. Three minutes later, there was no way to appeal, Balogun received a low cross in the area and took it first time, shooting into the corner of goalkeeper Gill: 2-0. It was absolute proof of the United States' great dominance in the 1st half. At 37, defender Richards almost headed in a corner, the ball skimming the Paraguay post. At 42, it was Tillman who missed a great opportunity, finishing from inside the area over goalkeeper Gill. The impression was that the pre-game party continued on the field, but with other artists. In the 49th minute, “popstar” Balogun was launched deep, dribbled past the defender and shot into the corner, a beautiful goal from the World Cup's top scorer so far: 3-0. With victory assured, the United States played a much less intense second half, reducing the pressure. The match dropped in intensity and quality, as Paraguay – full of players who play in the Brazilian Championship – were also unable to set their own pace. Coach Maurício Pochettino removed Pulisic and Balogun, saving them for the next meeting, against Australia, in Seattle, on June 19th. Their reserve players were clearly not at the same level. Thus, Paraguay reacted in the 27th minute and the Brazilian naturalized Paraguayan Maurício. He received a free kick at the edge of the area and shot across goalkeeper Freese's corner, making it 3-1. In the next move, the United States tried to react, but midfielder Tillman shot poorly, into the hands of Gill. At 43, Pepi, just a few meters from the goal, managed to waste another clear chance for the home team. But there was no foul, because in the 52nd minute, Reyna invaded the area and, with a trivela, placed the ball in the corner of the net. A great goal that closed the score: 4-1. The United States showed that they have a respectable team. Who knows, now Americans will become excited about soccer, the national team and the existence of a World Cup in their territory. For the Paraguayans, who didn't show anything special, the only way to wait is to recover on June 19th, against Turkey, in San Francisco, in the second round of Group D. Technical Sheet Friday, June 12, 2026 UNITED STATES 4 x 1 PARAGUAY Location: Los Angeles (United States) Judge: Danny Desmond Makkelie (Netherlands) Audience: 70,492 United States: Freese, Dest (Weah), Richards, Robinson, Ream and Freeman; Adams, McKennie and Tillman (Reyna); Pulisic (Berhalter) and Balogun (Pepi). T: Mauricio Pochettino. Paraguay: Gill, Alderete, Cáceres (Velazquez), Gustavo Gómez and Júnior Alonso; Diego Gómez (Gamarra), Almirón (Sosa), Cubas and Bobadilla (Maurício); Sanabria (Arce) and Enciso. T: Gustavo Alfaro. Goals: In the 1st half: Bobadilla (own goal) (6), Balogun (30) and Balogun (49). In the 2nd half: Maurício (27) and Reyna (52).