The United States opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night, powered by two goals from Folarin Balogun. The Americans raced to a historic three-goal lead in the first half, their largest in any World Cup match, and never looked back at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
First-Half Explosion
Christian Pulisic orchestrated the early attack, setting up the first goal in the seventh minute when his cross deflected off Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla for an own goal. Balogun then took over, scoring in the 31st minute after a pass from Pulisic, and adding another in first-half injury time following a long ball from Malik Tillman. The 24-year-old Monaco forward became the first US player with multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930.
Second-Half Insurance
Without Pulisic, who was substituted at halftime, the US struggled to maintain its rhythm but still added a fourth goal in stoppage time. Gio Reyna, who had limited playing time at the 2022 World Cup, scored his first World Cup goal by gliding into the box and flicking the ball home. The goal marked the first time the US has scored four times in a World Cup match.
Paraguay, playing in its first World Cup in 16 years, pulled one back in the second half through Maurício, but the damage was already done. The US defense held firm, and goalkeeper Matt Turner made key saves to preserve the three-goal margin.
Historic Context
The Americans had scored only three goals total in four matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team has adopted a more creative and aggressive style, which was on full display in front of a star-studded crowd of 70,492, including celebrities like Tom Cruise, George Lucas, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Balogun, who chose to represent the US over England, provided the elite striker play that has long eluded the national team. His performance was a statement of intent as the US looks to advance deep into the tournament on home soil.
The win sets a high bar for the US as it continues group play, with the team aiming to build on this momentum and replicate its best-ever World Cup finish of a quarterfinal appearance in 2002.
