‘Proud’ Pochettino warns USA: This is only the start

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Mauricio Pochettino warned his United States players that the job is far from done despite their emphatic victory over Paraguay.

The USA kick-started their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 hammering of Paraguay in Los Angeles.

Folarin Balogun scored twice on the back of an early own goal from Damian Bobadilla, with Giovanni Reyna capping off the rout in second-half stoppage time.

The USA’s opening goal in the seventh minute was the third-fastest goal scored by a host nation in their opening match at the World Cup, and set the tone for a dominant display.

Pochettino was full of pride, but the Argentine was quick to stress his team must only see this as a starting point, with fixtures against Australia and Turkiye to come in Group D.

“So, so proud. Players and staff deserved big credit for this performance,” he said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

“The most important thing is the performance and the feeling. We know it is only the start and it is nothing. It is only one game. Now we need to be intelligent to keep [going] in that direction.

“But we are so happy because the first game is always so difficult, hosting the World Cup, the expectation, but we managed the expectation and pressure. The first 45 minutes were amazing, difficult to find a team to play like this. So happy and so proud.”

Four USA goals at an entire World Cup – let alone in one game – is no guarantee.

They have only scored more goals at four World Cups than they have already at the 2026 edition. pic.twitter.com/IhbmfHybtS

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 13, 2026

Balogun became the second player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match for the USA after Bert Patenaude, also against Paraguay, in 1930 (three goals).

Christian Pulisic teed up one of the forward’s strikes. The playmaker has recorded four goal contributions in his World Cup career (one goal, three assists). Only Landon Donovan (five) has more for the USA since 1966.

However, Pulisic had to be taken off at half-time due to a calf issue.

“He received a kick in his calf and he felt tight at the end of the first half,” Pochettino explained.

“We didn’t want to take any risks. It was difficult for him to walk, but we hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one.”

Paraguay have now failed to win in their last four World Cup games, and coach Gustavo Alfaro conceded his team had been on the end of a harsh lesson.

“At a World Cup you have to leave emotions to one side,” Alfaro told reporters. “What matters are decision-making, concentration and the details.

“United States won with absolute justice and clarity. They surpassed us tactically, they surpassed us technically and they surpassed us physically.”

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