THE United States of America began their 2026 World Cup campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over Paraguay as former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun netted twice to inspire the co-hosts to an assured start in Los Angeles in the early hours of today.
Balogun, who has Nigerian heritage, became just the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, after Bert Patenaude – who netted the tournament’s first-ever hat-trick in the inaugural 1930 edition, also against Paraguay.
It is also the US’ joint-biggest win at a World Cup – matching the 3-0 victories against Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they finished third.
It took the home side just seven minutes to open the scoring in the Group D opener in front of their vocal supporters, courtesy of an own goal from Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.
Christian Pulisic, however, was the architect, squeezing between two defenders with a quick burst of pace before feeding Weston McKennie, whose cutback was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bobadilla.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side thought they had a second in the 28th minute only for Balogun to be flagged offside, but they were not to be denied three minutes later as the Monaco striker thumped home from winger Pulisic’s pass.
Balogun then pulled the US further ahead, pouncing on a through ball from Malik Tillman and escaping a challenge from Sunderland defender Omar Alderete before curling past goalkeeper Orlando Gill to find the top corner.
They continued to apply the pressure after restart but it was Paraguay who struck next against the run of play through Brazilian-born Mauricio, who was slipped in by former Brighton forward Julio Enciso and slotted past Matt Freese.
The US victory was capped off with the goal of the night from substitute Giovanni Reyna, who curled a 20-yard shot home with the outside of his right foot with the final kick of the game.
Agency report
