USMNT Crushes Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup Opener as Balogun Nets 2 Historic Goals
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
USMNT Crushes Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup Opener as Balogun Nets 2 Historic Goals
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
Summary
4-1 over Paraguay gave the United States its first World Cup game with at least four goals and its first three-goal World Cup win since 1930.
Folarin Balogun, 24, drove the rout with goals in the 30th minute and just before halftime, becoming the first American since 1930 to score multiple times in a World Cup match.
A sixth-minute own goal by Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla sparked the fast start, and the U.S. built a 3-0 lead before Paraguay scored in the 73rd minute after Christian Pulisic went down injured.
Gio Reyna's stoppage-time finish restored the three-goal margin and sealed three points for the hosts in their 2026 World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium in Southern California.