Balogun became only the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, following Bert Patenaude’s hat-trick in 1930.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The United States began their 2026 World Cup campaign in impressive fashion after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in a Group D opener played at the Los Angeles Stadium.
The tournament’s joint hosts opened the scoring as early as the 7th minute. Christian Pulisic went past two defenders with a quick burst of pace before feeding Weston McKennie, whose cutback was inadvertently turned into the net by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.
The US doubled their advantage in the 31st minute through former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who benefitted from winger Pulisic’s pass.
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The Monaco star then pulled the US further ahead by curling the ball past goalkeeper Orlando Gill into the top corner, having pounced on a through ball from Malik Tillman and escaped a challenge from Sunderland defender Omar Alderete.
With his brace, Balogun 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.
Paraguay, however, reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute through Brazilian-born Mauricio, who slotted past Matt Freese after being slipped in by former Brighton forward Julio Enciso.
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.
