Sports News Report
League: EPLSport: SoccerCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

USA opens World Cup with 4-1 win amid VAR confusion

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 3:43 AM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

USA opens World Cup with 4-1 win amid VAR confusion
Summary

The United States began their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. The match experienced notable VAR controversy as Tim Ream received a yellow card for a foul, which was later overturned by the referee after video review. Instead of Ream, the caution was issued to Miguel Almiron for diving. Folarin Balogun scored twice, making him the second US player to net multiple goals in a World Cup match. Giovanni Reyna capped the scoring with a impressive long-range goal on the final kick of the game.

Source Links
Yahoo SportsBBC Sport
By the Numbers
  • •USA leads 3-0 at halftime, thanks to Balogun's two goals and an own goal.
  • •Tim Ream's yellow card was rescinded in a historic VAR intervention.
  • •Giovanni Reyna scored the last goal with a 20-yard shot.
  • •This match was key to USA's World Cup Group D campaign.
Latest Updates
  • 3:43 AMYahoo Sports — VAR makes 'mistaken identity' history as strange booking confuses fans
  • 3:43 AMBBC Sport — VAR makes 'mistaken identity' history as strange booking confuses fans
What they're saying
"

The United States open their World Cup campaign with a fine win - but not before a sequence of events that left everyone scratching their heads.

"

The United States open their World Cup campaign with a fine win - but not before a sequence of events that left everyone scratching their heads.

Related Teams & Leagues
EvertonNewcastle UnitedTottenham HotspurEPLSoccer

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days