USA v Paraguay

FULL-TIME: UNITED STATES 4-1 PARAGUAY

A LATE FOURTH ADDS THE CHERRY ON TOP! 4-1 USMNT! Freeman interchanges with Weah on the right flank before knocking it into the path of Reyna, who is allowed to get into the 18-yard box unmarked before dispatching a perfectly hit strike with the outside of his right boot that sails past the goalkeeper and in at the far post!

Freeman, who didn’t manage a goal involvement in nine matches with Villarreal this season, picks up an assist in the late stages of the match - setting up Reyna for a deserved fourth!

Only Mexico (18) have appeared in more World Cups than the USA (12) among CONCACAF nations, while the USMNT have reached the knockout stage in each of their last three participations (2010, 2014, 2022). The United States have notably lost only one of their last nine group matches at the tournament (three wins and five draws), which came against Germany in 2014 (0-1).

A bit too eager to win the ball back, Romero kicks through the leg of Berhalter and gives away a free-kick 25 yards from his own penalty area, which Reyna is in absolutely no hurry to take as the seconds continue to tick off the clock late in added time.

Alonso tries to grab Adams’ kit from behind on two or three occasions before finally pulling back the Bournemouth midfielder, which earns the Paraguay player a late yellow card.

The fourth official indicates seven minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

Gill comes a long way out of his area to try and get on the end of Berhalter’s chipped pass down the pitch for Pepi, but the goalkeeper sends his clearance straight into the path of the aforementioned Berhalter. Spotting the shot-stopper off his line, the substitute tries an audacious attempt from a long way out, but puts the ball right into the gloves of his opponent.

88'

Yellow Card

Reyna shifts the ball quickly just ahead of Arce and draws the striker into a mistimed challenge that catches the substitute, prompting Danny Makkelie to show the Paraguay striker a yellow card.

Paraguay have won only one of their previous eight World Cup openers (three draws and four losses); against Iraq in 1986 (1-0).

Paraguay’s strike, while providing the prospect of a late twist in the tale, does little to help their odds of winning, as Opta gives the USMNT a 98.4% chance of coming away with all three points. Though faint, a draw remains a possibility with 1.5%, while Paraguay’s chances of overturning the deficit sit at 0.1%.

82'

Substitution

Looking to take time off the clock and give players a bit of a rest, Pochettino brings off Tillman and sends Reyna on in his stead.

80'

Substitution

Another player on a yellow card is taken off by Alfaro, who replaces Diego Gomez with Romero.

79'

Substitution

Down by two with 11 minutes left, Paraguay make another change in attack and withdraw Almiron for Sosa.

79'

Yellow Card

Diego Gomez is called for a foul after grabbing hold of Tillman’s arm from behind the United States player, which sends the Brighton winger into a rage. After having a bit too much to say, he’s shown a yellow card; the fourth of the game.

79'

Substitution

The booked Caceres is also protected in the final stages of the game, with Velazquez ready to see out the remainder of the contest.

Looking to get involved almost immediately after coming on, Weah receives the ball from Tillman on the right corner of the penalty area and takes a couple touches ahead of Alonso to work a bit of room before driving a flat shot that flies just over Gill’s crossbar.

Five of Paraguay's last nine World Cup goals dating back to 2002 have been scored by substitutes.

73'

Goal

PARAGUAY FIND A GOAL OUT OF NOWHERE! 3-1! Gill launches a long free-kick down the pitch, which isn’t dealt with by the United States defence, allowing Almiron to somehow control the bouncing ball before playing it through to Enciso. With presence of mind, the forward has the time to look to his left before hitting a pass out to the unmarked Mauricio, who finishes with aplomb 27 minutes after his introduction!

Though he may have gone for goal himself, Enciso picked the unselfish option and supplied his team-mate with the opportunity to score, which gives Paraguay a glimmer of hope with a quarter-hour left.

72'

Substitution

A change on the right flank for the United States sees Weah given 18 minutes on the pitch for Dest.

72'

Substitution

Balogun moves rather gingerly to the touchline, making way for Pepi with 18 minutes to go after registering a first-half brace. His exit means he won’t become the second USMNT player to ever score a World Cup hat-trick, though he will have more opportunities.

Back under way through a Paraguay throw-in, Alonso launches the ball long into the penalty area, where a bit of head-tennis provides Almiron with the chance for a volley from 20 yards away that’s blocked at the outset by Antonee Robinson.

Paraguay haven’t conceded more than one goal in any of their last 10 World Cup matches before tonight. Spain were the last team to find their net on more than one occasion in a tournament match, doing so in the group stage of the 2002 edition (1-3).

Just as they had in the first half, the two sides are given a hydration break midway through the second frame, giving Pochettino and Alfaro one last opportunity to get their message across.