United States equal feat last achieved by Spain 24 years ago with World Cup win over Paraguay

The United States of America opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, and in doing so, they ended a 24-year Spanish record.

Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with his side's performance as they scored three goals in the opening half of the match, helping them open their tournament in a perfect manner.

The opening goal of the game came from a Paraguayan as Damian Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net before Folarin Balogun added a brace before the interval.

Paraguay would have a better second half, as they were able to find a consolation goal just after the second hydration break of the game as Mauricio slotted the ball into the net.

Yet, as the game was coming to an end, Giovanni Reyna added a fourth for the United States to wrap up a comprehensive victory in their opening game of this World Cup.

Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side's first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (Getty Images)

Ahead of this tournament, Paraguay were renowned for their dogged nature and resilient defence as they conceded only 10 goals from their 18 matches in the South American qualification campaign, only bettered by Ecuador, who conceded five.

Paraguay will be disappointed at this opening game defeat and the scoreline, as it could have a detrimental impact on their progression from the group to the knockout stages.

This 4-1 victory for the United States means that they have managed to achieve something no side has done since 2002, when the Spanish managed to do the same.

Since their 3-1 defeat to Spain in the 2002 World Cup at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in South Korea, Paraguay have not conceded more than a goal in any of their fixtures in the competition, with the nation playing 10 fixtures.

JEONJU, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 07 FUSSBALL WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, Jeonju, 07.06.02Match 22, GRUPPE BSPANIEN (Getty Images)

The USA will be pleased to have shown their attacking credentials in this opening fixture; however, they will also be aware they have not been tested defensively and so will not get carried away ahead of the rest of the tournament.

It is likely with this win that the United States will at least progress from the group in the third-place spot, at worst, due to their margin of victory in this game unless they have a nightmare in the next two fixtures when they face Australia and Turkiye.