Few United States fans could have dreamt of a better beginning to their home World Cup as Paraguay were dismissively cast aside thanks to some classy goals.
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Mexico also won at a canter in Thursday's opening victory over South Africa and the third co-hosts Canada got in on the act with a deserved 1-1 comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Football finally did the talking after months of trepidation from fans and organizers, including worries over a raft of issues which had appeared to have irreparably damaged the 2026 World Cup brand before the expanded tournament had even begun.
In Los Angeles, the US team put on a show of Hollywood proportions once a scrappy own goal had given them the lead.
US forward Folarin Balogun, who could have bided his time for an England call-up or played for Nigeria, justified his decision to plump for his native land with two trademark striker's goals in the 4-1 win.
Giovanni Reyna's delightful stoppage-time effort with the outside of his boot belied a frustrating season in Germany for Borussia Mönchengladbach and showed he is no longer a forgotten man.
It also demonstrated a confidence which has been in short supply in the US side this year with only one warm-up win over Senegal.
"It's an honour to lead the team and just to be part of the group is a huge honour," US captain Tim Ream told FIFA.
"We've put in a lot of work and the guys have done a lot to get to this point. To put in a performance like that and get three points and start the way we have is everything that we wanted. Hats off to the guys."
It has been hot as predicted, the opening ceremonies have been criticized as dull and the three red cards in the opener were widely viewed as overkill.
FIFA's explanation for empty seats at South Korea v Czech Republic - that some fans were in the concourses - had pundits shaking their heads.
'Push the limit'
Meanwhile the visa issue will not go away. World Cup referee Omar Artan of Somalia was turned away from the US while Iran and other nations continue to have problems.
But it is not just the US. Canada has stopped Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey from entering from the US for one game. He faces a trial in London next year on seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
World Cups always have teething problems. Spreading the event over three countries for the first time risked watering down the atmosphere.
But the sight of Brazil fans dancing in Times Square with an New York police officer smiling bodes well for the coming weeks.
The big issue the event now has to deal with is a possible dilution of quality on the pitch and interest given the increase from 32 to 48 teams and a record 104 matches.
The co-hosts can only do some of the leg work and attendances for less high-profile games will be examined to see if ticket prices really have put swathes of people off.
When it is time to work out the eight best third-placed teams out of 12 who progress to the first ever round of 32, casual fans might also wonder what the group stage was all about. In a sense it is easier to qualify for the knock-outs stages than not.
But great goals such as those in LA, exuberant supporters in colourful dress like in Mexico and teams producing spirited fightbacks akin to South Korea and Canada will help. Almost everyone gets in to the World Cup mood eventually.
"We just have to stay concentrated. We’ll be playing at home and just have to push the limit," said Canada's goalscoring hero Cyle Larin.