The United States have launched their World Cup campaign with 4-1 shellacking of Paraguay, sending an ominous warning to the Socceroos and other rivals in a potent opening half.
The World Cup co-hosts seized a 3-0 halftime lead in front of a heaving sold-out crowd of 70,492 in Los Angeles, where Tom Cruise, David Beckham, George Lucas and Bill Gates were among the spectators.
Folarin Balogun scored twice after an early own goal from Damian Bobadilla.