United States striker Folarin Balogun scored two goals to help the U.S. men’s national team beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Inglewood, California.
This was Balogun’s World Cup debut in what Mauricio Pochettino’s enthusiastic squad call a “dreamy night” for the striker. Balogun became the first U.S. men’s national team player to score two goals in a World Cup game since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
The Americans took the lead early in the seventh minute due to an own goal from Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla, then extended their advantage with Balogun’s strikes in the 31st minute and in first-half stoppage time to end the first half with a commanding three-goal advantage. Balogun netted his first goal in the 31st minute as Christian Pulisic’s deflected centering feed sat up perfectly for him to score from 14 yards.
Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Balogun collected a through ball from Malik Tillman, shrugged off a challenge from a defender, dribbled to his left and delivered a venomous strike into the top left-hand corner of the goal to make it 3-0. Paraguay scored through Mauricio Pochetta in the 73th minute, but the U.S. men’s national team’s Gio Reyna capped the opening night with a sublime stoppage-time goal struck with the outside of his right foot to seal the 4-1 victory.
The U.S. showcased a formidable and graceful performance in a remarkable first half against a team known for its defensive resilience, dazzling and taking risks in front of 70,492 spectators at SoFi Stadium. The impressive display, driven by the talents of Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, positioned Mauricio Pochettino’s enthusiastic squad favorably in Group D as they gear up for their upcoming match against Australia next Friday in Seattle.
After getting a goal called back just minutes earlier, Balogun had his moment to score twice and becomes first U.S. player to net two goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Balogun’s brace for USA changed his Golden Boot odds a lot, and he was named Alexi Lalas’ Man of the Match by Fox Sports.
In the 52nd minute, just a beauty for his second of the game, Flo Balogun, scored the 3-0 in the first half, making it a memorable World Cup opener for Balogun and the United States.
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