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The United States opened its home World Cup with a crushing 4-1 victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium, delivering an electric performance while fueling an equally electric crowd.
The United States outscored a Paraguayan team that struggled even to cross the halfway line in the first half, as the Americans dominated possession 71% to 29% at halftime.
FOX Sports analysts Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry said this is the type of performance the United States can build on and use as a foundation for a deep run at this World Cup.
Ibrahimović added that the American people should have confidence in his team after this performance.
“I mean, we were talking before the game about the need to believe in it. My message to the American people is: if you didn’t believe in it before the game, the performance in the first half should make you start to believe in it,” Ibrahimović said during the post-match show. “Because if they can carry this performance into the next games, this American team can do something big. Are you surprised?”
The United States scored four goals in a men’s World Cup match for the first time ever. (Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Henry believes one of the most important elements of the United States potentially participating in the World Cup is confidence. He has maintained this view since the World Cup draw and believes that confidence is particularly important in high-stakes matches like this, compared to some of the matches the team played before the tournament.
“Play my video of what I said during the coin toss. Take a look at it,” Henry said. “You have to believe it, and I’m not American. I said I believe this team can bring the crowd together.
“They just have to do it today. Not in the friendlies, not when people were panicking, not even against Panama here. I know it was a Nations League, a lot of people were talking about it. They have to be ready today.”
The United States will look to build on the momentum from tonight’s result when they face Australia next Friday, June 19, at Seattle Stadium, where a raucous atmosphere is expected.
“I believe in what I see, and I saw a great team today, a team performance,” Henry said. “I personally believe they can run. Let’s see if they will. That doesn’t mean you’ll go running. But now I’m sure a lot of people will believe they can run.”
