Folarin Balogun scored a brilliant brace as the United States opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D clash at the Los Angeles Stadium.
The AS Monaco striker inspired Mauricio Pochettino’s side to a dominant display in front of 70,492 fans as the co-hosts made a perfect start to the tournament on home soil.
The USA took the lead in the seventh minute after Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net under pressure from the American attack.
The hosts continued to dominate proceedings and thought they had doubled their advantage in the 28th minute, only for Balogun’s effort to be ruled out for offside.
However, the striker responded moments later with a clinical finish after receiving a pass from Christian Pulisic.
Balogun added his second goal deep into first-half stoppage time after latching onto Malik Tillman’s through ball before curling a superb effort into the top corner to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio after a fine assist from Julio Enciso, but the South Americans were unable to mount a comeback.
Substitute Giovanni Reyna wrapped up the victory in stoppage time with a stunning strike from outside the box, curling the ball home with the outside of his boot to complete a memorable night for the Americans.
Balogun’s brace saw him become only the second United States player to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match after Bert Patenaude, who achieved the feat in the 1930 edition — also against Paraguay.
The victory matched the USA’s biggest-ever World Cup win and gave Pochettino’s men the ideal start as they aim for a strong tournament run on home soil.
The United States will next face Australia on June 19, while Paraguay take on Turkey in their second group match.
