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The USA kicked off their home World Cup with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium, delivering an electric performance while feeding an equally electric crowd.
The USA outclassed a Paraguayan team that struggled to even 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 stated that this is the type of performance the USA can build on and use as the foundation for a deep run at this World Cup.
Ibrahimović added that the American people should have confidence in their team after this performance.
“I mean we talked before the game about believing. My message to the American people is: If you didn’t believe before the game, the performance in the first half should make you believe,” Ibrahimović said during the postgame show. “Because if they can carry this performance into the upcoming games, this American team can do something big. Are you surprised?”
The USA scored four goals in a men’s World Cup game for the first time ever. (Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Henry believes one of the most important components of a potential U.S. World Cup run is belief. He has maintained that view since the draw for the World Cup and feels that confidence is particularly important in high-stakes games like this, compared to some of the games the team played in the run-up to the tournament.
“Play my video of what I said in the draw. Watch it,” Henry said. “You have to believe, and I’m not American. I said I believe this team can rally the crowd.
“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. They have to be ready today.”
The USA will look to build on the momentum from tonight’s result when they take on Australia next Friday, June 19 at Seattle Stadium, where a raucous atmosphere is expected.
“I believe 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 want to do it. That doesn’t mean you want to run. But now I’m sure a lot of people will believe they can run.”
