U.S. sets 60-year passing record in World Cup rout of Paraguay
The United States opened its home World Cup with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, in a match that also produced a historic individual milestone. Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards completed 83 passes without a single miss, a figure ESPN said is the most completed passes at 100% accuracy in a World Cup match since data collection began in 1966.
The U.S. goals came from Folarin Balogun, Giovanni Reyna, and Damion Bovedila, who scored an own goal. American coverage called Richards “the quiet architect” of much of what the team builds from the back, praising his passing range, composure, and ability to progress the ball cleanly under pressure. The report added that he helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side launch attacks “in a deadly way” and called the performance “crazy.”
The match also brought another record, as 38-year-old Tim Ream, at 38 years and 250 days, surpassed Fernando Clavijo to become the oldest player to appear for the United States at a World Cup. Balogun, meanwhile, became the first U.S. player to score a brace in a World Cup match since Brian McBride in 2002.
After collecting its first three points of the tournament, the United States will next face Australia and Turkey in its upcoming matches.
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