Folarin Balogun scored a superb first-half brace as the United States launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at a packed SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
Playing a World Cup match on home soil for the first time since 1994, the co-hosts produced an attacking masterclass under Mauricio Pochettino. An early own goal by Damian Bobadilla, followed by two clinical finishes from Balogun and a late strike from Gio Reyna, secured all three points for the Americans.
The United States made a dream start, taking the lead after just seven minutes when Paraguay midfielder Bobadilla inadvertently turned Weston McKennie’s dangerous cross into his own net while attempting a clearance.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and create chances, with Christian Pulisic pulling the strings in attack. Balogun thought he had doubled the lead midway through the first half, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
The striker eventually got his reward in the 31st minute when Pulisic threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the defence, allowing Balogun to calmly slot home and make it 2-0.
Balogun added his second goal in first-half stoppage time, collecting a pass from Malik Tillman before cutting inside two defenders and curling a brilliant effort into the top corner to give the Americans a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.
Paraguay reduced the deficit in the 74th minute when Julio Enciso reacted quickest to a loose ball and set up Mauricio, who fired a low shot past goalkeeper Matt Freese. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as the United States remained firmly in control.
Gio Reyna sealed the victory deep into stoppage time, finishing off a swift counterattack with a stunning outside-of-the-boot strike to complete a convincing 4-1 win. The result sends the United States to the top of Group D ahead of Türkiye’s clash with Australia, with the Americans set to face Australia in Seattle on June 19.
