Folarin Balogun delivered a match winning performance as the United States (USA) opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday morning.
The striker scored twice and played a key role in a dominant attacking display that saw the tournament hosts become the highest scoring team so far at the 2026 World Cup. The result also ensured that all three host nations avoided defeat in their opening matches after Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 and Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
USA entered the match looking to build on an impressive recent World Cup record. They had progressed from the group stage in each of their last three appearances and arrived determined to make a strong statement in front of a packed home crowd.
Paraguay, however, created the first clear opportunity of the contest. Former Newcastle United star Miguel Almirón picked out Diego Gómez in the penalty area, and the midfielder fired a dangerous effort from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Matt Freese reacted quickly and tipped the ball over the bar to keep the scores level.
The hosts responded immediately. Balogun found space inside the box and managed to shoot while falling, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
USA soon found their breakthrough in the seventh minute. Christian Pulisic produced a moment of brilliance by skipping past two defenders with a clever dummy before driving into the penalty area. The captain then squared the ball for Weston McKennie, whose low cross was turned into his own net by Damián Bobadilla.
The own goal gave the United States a dream start and sent the Los Angeles crowd into celebration. Pulisic’s skill and McKennie’s delivery created the opening, but Bobadilla’s touch ensured the hosts took an early lead.
The Americans continued to tear through Paraguay’s defence. Balogun released Sergiño Dest with a perfectly weighted pass, but the full back’s heavy first touch forced him too wide and Paraguay managed to clear the danger before Balogun could apply the finish.
Paraguay struggled to regain control as USA dominated possession and attacked relentlessly. Their pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 31st minute.
Pulisic once again proved the architect. The AC Milan star surged to the byline before cutting the ball back into the danger area. Balogun arrived at the perfect moment and hammered a powerful finish into the net to double the lead.
The hosts refused to slow down. Dest danced past several defenders and delivered a cross for Balogun, but the striker headed wide when chasing his second goal of the evening.
Deep into first half stoppage time, Balogun finally got it. The striker raced onto a through ball, cut inside Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez and curled a superb left footed effort into the top corner. The goal completed a brilliant first half for the forward and handed USA a commanding 3-0 advantage heading into the break.
The scoreline reflected the hosts dominance. In fact, USA scored more goals in the opening 45 minutes than they managed during their entire 2022 World Cup campaign.
The second half began with Paraguay showing signs of improvement. A slip from veteran defender Tim Ream allowed Diego Gómez to find space in a dangerous position, but his effort took a deflection and sailed over the crossbar.
Despite trailing heavily, Paraguay continued to search for a route back into the match. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute.
A long ball forward caught the American defence off guard. Miguel Almirón reacted quickest and nudged possession into the path of Julio Enciso, who slipped a clever pass through to substitute Mauricio. The forward drilled a low finish into the far corner to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The goal ended Paraguay’s run of 371 minutes without scoring at the FIFA World Cup, their longest drought in tournament history.
However, USA almost restored their three goal advantage immediately. Paraguay lost possession in a dangerous area and substitute Ricardo Pepi found himself in a two against one situation. He squared the ball to Malik Tillman, but the midfielder shot straight at the goalkeeper from close range.
The Americans continued to threaten in the closing stages. In the 88th minute, McKennie pulled the ball back perfectly for Pepi, but the striker leaned too far back and blasted his effort over the crossbar.
USA eventually found their fourth goal deep into stoppage time. After patiently working the ball around the edge of the penalty area, Giovanni Reyna took control and produced a moment of quality. The midfielder struck the ball with the outside of his boot and curled a stunning effort into the far corner in the seventh minute of added time.
The goal sealed a memorable 4-1 victory and ensured the United States became the first team in their men’s World Cup history to score four goals in a single tournament match.
Balogun deservedly stole the headlines with his two goal performance, while Pulisic once again showcased his importance by contributing another assist. The captain was directly involved in all three of USA’s goals at the 2022 World Cup, scoring once and providing two assists, and he continued that influence in the Group D opener.
The result also extended USA’s impressive record against Paraguay. Before this encounter, the two nations had met seven times, with the Americans winning five and Paraguay claiming two victories. Their only previous World Cup meeting came in 1930 when USA secured a 3-0 victory.
For Paraguay, the defeat marked another disappointing World Cup opening match. They have now won only one of their last nine tournament openers, while this match also ended a remarkable defensive run. Before facing USA, Paraguay had not conceded more than one goal in any of their previous 10 World Cup matches, with Spain in 2002 the last team to score multiple goals against them in the competition.
USA will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against Australia, while Paraguay must regroup quickly ahead of their next Group D encounter against Türkiye.
For the hosts, though, this was the perfect start. Balogun delivered when it mattered most, the attack clicked into gear and the United States announced themselves as serious contenders on home soil.
