Balogun Scores Twice as United States Opens World Cup with Historic Four-Goal Win Over Paraguay

Balogun Scores Twice as United States Opens World Cup with Historic Four-Goal Win Over Paraguay

The United States opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium, marking the most goals the Americans have scored in a World Cup match. An early own goal from Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla set the tone before Folarin Balogun added a first-half brace. Giovanni Reyna capped the night in stoppage time, while Paraguay’s Mauricio pulled one back in the 73rd minute.

The match turned decisively before halftime, with Balogun finishing twice in a 17-minute span as the U.S. stretched its lead to 3-0. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie helped control the midfield throughout, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side dictated possession for long stretches. Paraguay showed brief life after Mauricio’s goal, but Reyna’s late finish erased any doubt and sealed a dominant opening result.

Pochettino said before the match his team needed to stay emotionally connected and “play like they are a child, with no pressure, with no responsibility,” a message that appeared to resonate in the opening 45 minutes as the U.S. played freely and aggressively. Balogun’s two-goal performance also continued his strong run of form entering the tournament.

The U.S. stays in Group D action next on June 19 against Australia in Seattle, with a chance to take full control of the group. Paraguay will look to regroup the same day when it faces Türkiye in San Francisco, needing points to keep its knockout hopes alive