U.S. Handles Paraguay 4-1, Most Goals Scored In A World Cup Game

The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 on Friday night in a World Cup match, a result described as the most goals scored in a world cup game for the program. No U.S. team had ever looked so clearly in control on this stage.

The margin and the way it was built set this apart from a routine win. The U.S. looked physically more imposing and faster both on and off the ball, which turned the game into a lopsided statement rather than a tight contest.

Pulisic And Pochettino

Christian Pulisic’s availability had been in question after a calf issue led Mauricio Pochettino to pull him at halftime. That made the 4-1 scoreline more notable, because the U.S. still produced its best World Cup showing without certainty around one of its most important attackers.

The performance also put a spotlight on how much the attack can rely on Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie when the game tilts in the U.S. favor. Those three were said to be unlikely to enjoy the same run of play against Australia that they had against Paraguay, and that is where the next test sharpens.

Australia In Seattle

Australia beat Turkiye 2-0 on Saturday night while holding 28 percent possession, and Patrick Beach was a surprise starter in that match. The numbers suggest a different kind of opponent for the United States, one less willing to trade open space for pace and pressure.

Australia was scheduled to face the United States in Seattle on Friday afternoon, and that matchup now carries a simple test: whether the U.S. can repeat the speed and physical edge that blew past Paraguay when the opponent is harder to run past. The Paraguay result sets the standard; Seattle will show how high that standard really is.