Fans drew parallels with Lionel Messi as attacker Christian Pulisic inspired 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts USA to a comfortable 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday (June 12).
After playing a key role in the move leading to Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla beating his own goalkeeper in the seventh minute, the 27-year-old Pulisic set up Folarin Balogun 24 minutes later.
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Just before the half drew to a close, Balogun scored his second of the game before Julio Enciso – assisted by half-time subsitute Maurício – reduced arrears for Paraguay. However, Giovanni Reyna restored the USNMT’s three-goal lead in the 98th minute to make it a winning start to a World Cup campaign for his team for the first time in 12 years.
Fans hailed the performance of Pulisic, especially his dribbling and directness, with some comparing him with Messi.
“Pulisic has always been a baller icl. His dribbling and directness is good, always been a decent finisher too,” one tweeted.
“Pulisic still got it ,can’t believe Chelsea sold him for mudrky 😭😭😭😭,” commented another.
“Paraguay fans watching pulisic turn into prime messi,” one wrote.
“Pulisic is playing like he wants Trump to acknowledge him,” another posted.
“Pulisic got that call from Trump and started playing like Messi,” one tweeted.
“Pulisic when he hears the American anthem,” another posted.
“Pulisic is taking souls,” one observed.
Top of Group D after their opening win, Mauricio Pochettino’s side next take on Australia on Friday (June 19) in Seattle, with another win likely sealing their place in the knockouts.
“Lionel Messi is fully capable of winning it again” – Ousmane Dembele on 2022 FIFA World Cup winner
Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele said that his former club teammate Lionel Messi’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup shouldn’t be ignored after his triumph with Argentina in Qatar four years ago.
Lionel Scaloni’s side could once again meet Dembele‘s France in the title match next month if both teams win their respective groups. At Qatar 2022, Messi and Co. had beaten Les Bleus on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time.
“He is the best I’ve ever seen, the best that has ever been seen in football,” Dembele said (via GOAL).
“He remains incredibly dangerous. It’s difficult to stop him even at 38 (39). He might be that age, but he will always have those qualities. We will have to be careful with him because he is fully capable of winning it again.”
While Argentina commence their FIFA World Cup title defence against Algeria in Group J in Kansas City on Tuesday (June 16), France get going on the same day in Group I against Senegal in New Jersey.
Edited by Bhargav