Ibrahimović and Henry back USA for deep World Cup run after 4-1 demolition of Paraguay

The United States announced themselves as genuine World Cup contenders with a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday, scoring four goals in a men’s World Cup match for the first time in their history.

The Americans dominated from the first whistle, controlling 71% of possession by halftime against a Paraguayan side that struggled to cross the halfway line in the opening 45 minutes. The performance drew immediate praise from two of football’s most decorated figures, with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry both declaring the USA capable of a deep run at their home tournament.

“I mean, we were speaking 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 start believing,” Ibrahimović said during the postgame show. “Because if they can bring this performance into the upcoming games, this American team can do something big. Are you surprised?”

Henry, who has backed the United States since the tournament draw, argued that belief is the single most important ingredient for a potential run — and that Thursday’s result, in front of a raucous home crowd, was the moment to crystallise it.

“Play my video of what I said in the draw,” Henry said. “You’ve got to believe, and I’m not American. I said I believe that this team can bring the crowd together. They just need to do it today. Not in the friendly games, not when people were panicking, not even against Panama.”

Henry was emphatic that the display represented a genuine team performance rather than a one-off result. “I believe in what I see, and I saw a great team today — a team performance,” he said. “I believe personally that they can go on a run. Let’s see if they will do it. That doesn’t mean you will go on a run. But now, I’m sure a lot of people will believe that they can.”

The United States next face Australia on Friday, June 19, at Seattle Stadium, where another charged atmosphere is expected as the Americans look to carry the momentum of their historic opening-night performance into the knockout stages.