The United States made a dream start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, as striker Folarin Balogun scored twice to inspire the co-hosts to a commanding opening-day win.
Playing in front of a packed and passionate home crowd, Mauricio Pochettino’s side produced an energetic and clinical display to collect all three points in their Group D opener and immediately announce themselves as contenders to make a deep run in the tournament.
The Americans wasted little time taking control of the contest, opening the scoring after just seven minutes. Christian Pulisic burst through the Paraguayan defence before finding Weston McKennie, whose dangerous cutback was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Damian Bobadilla.
Usa’s method
The early goal settled any nerves among the home supporters and allowed the United States to dictate proceedings.
Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage midway through the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. However, the Monaco forward would not be denied for long.
Just three minutes later, Pulisic once again provided the spark, delivering a precise pass that Balogun smashed beyond goalkeeper Orlando Gill to make it 2-0.
The former Arsenal academy graduate then added his second goal of the evening before halftime. Malik Tillman released him with a perfectly weighted through ball and Balogun showed composure and quality, holding off a challenge before curling a superb finish into the top corner.
What this victory means for the USA
The brace saw Balogun become only the second American player to score more than once in a World Cup match, joining Bert Patenaude, who famously scored the tournament’s first-ever hat-trick against Paraguay in 1930.
Paraguay attempted to respond after the break and briefly gave themselves hope when Mauricio pulled a goal back. The Brazilian-born attacker latched onto a pass from Julio Enciso and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Matt Freese.
However, any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished as the United States continued to create chances and control possession.
The victory was sealed in spectacular fashion deep into stoppage time when substitute Giovanni Reyna produced the moment of the match. Collecting the ball outside the penalty area, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder curled a stunning effort into the corner of the net with the outside of his boot to cap an unforgettable evening for the hosts.
The 4-1 triumph equals the United States’ biggest-ever World Cup victory, matching the 3-0 wins over Paraguay and Belgium at the 1930 tournament.
