How the United States thrashed Paraguay in pitch-perfect World Cup opener: Mauricio Pochettino's men ignite campaign with freestyle football fit for Hollywood, writes IAN HERBERT

The United States opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay, with Mauricio Pochettino's side delivering an impressive and free-flowing performance. The commanding win was described as magical and cinematic, with the scoreline reflecting a comprehensive evisceration of the opposition. The result was seen as a potentially landmark moment for football's popularity in the United States.