Los Angeles Stadium erupted into controlled chaos on Saturday as the United States hosted the World Cup's opening ceremony and promptly dismantled Paraguay 4-0 in a match that felt less like competition and more like a coronation on home soil.
The day belonged as much to the pageantry as it did to the scoreline. Three separate opening ceremonies unfolded before kickoff, a decision that left some fans checking their phones in mild bewilderment. Katy Perry took the stage alongside Norwegian singer Tius Luka, while Rema, Lisa from Blackpink, and Anitta delivered performances that stretched across the stadium's massive footprint. Future and South African singer Tyla rounded out the entertainment lineup.
In the stands, the spectacle extended beyond the performances. David Beckham and Tom Cruise worked the crowd, signing autographs as fans climbed over one another for selfies and autograph opportunities. USA supporters arrived dressed in elaborate costumes, including one group channeling Apollo Creed energy for reasons only they fully understood.
When play finally began, Paraguay offered little resistance. An own goal from Damiian Bobadilla handed the home team an immediate lead, with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie celebrating what felt inevitable from that moment forward.
Folarin Balogun, the former Arsenal striker now representing the USMNT, took over the match with clinical finishing. He found the net twice during the first half, including a sensational goal that arrived on the stroke of halftime. His final tally came at the tournament's most meaningful moment, cementing a performance that overshadowed every other element of the evening.
Gio Reyna added the fourth goal in the match's final minute, pushing the result into historic territory. The margin of victory marked the USA's largest win at a World Cup since 1930, a statistic that matters less for what it says about Paraguay's shortcomings and more for what it signals about American expectations heading into Group D play.
Tyler Adams anchored the midfield throughout, while the defensive shape rarely wavered. Paraguay's Miguel Almirón worked tirelessly but found little space to operate.
Celebration erupted not just inside the stadium but across the country. Fan zones in Houston, Washington DC, and beyond filled with supporters watching the rout unfold on screens, their cheers synchronized with the roars from Inglewood.
Author James Rodriguez: "The spectacle overwhelmed the sport a bit, but when the ball rolled, the USA's quality showed through without apology."
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