History was made as the United States achieved a significant victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team scored four goals in a World Cup match for the first time. Additionally, Folarin Balogun, aged 24, became the first American player since 1930 to net multiple goals in a single World Cup game.
The match concluded with a 4-1 victory for the U.S., marking the first time since 1930 that the team secured a World Cup win by three goals. This historic success unfolded during the World Cup opener in Southern California.
Folarin Balogun Shines
Folarin Balogun made a notable debut, scoring two goals in his first World Cup match for the U.S. His performance added to the narrative of American soccer’s growing prominence.
Early on, the Americans raced to a 3-0 lead. Their first goal came within seven minutes. Although Paraguay scored in the 73rd minute, Gio Reyna clinched the fourth goal for the U.S. in the final moments, securing their standing in the World Cup rankings.
American fans celebrated in the packed SoFi Stadium as the U.S. team demonstrated aggressive play, seeking additional goals even with a strong lead.
Game Details
The match started with Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla inadvertently scoring an own goal in the sixth minute. This gave the U.S. an early advantage. Balogun then increased the lead to two goals in the 30th minute, marking one of the fastest occasions the U.S. reached a two-goal lead in World Cup history.
Continuing his impactful night, Balogun scored again before halftime, causing excitement in the stadium. His goal followed a precise pass from Malik Tillman. Born in Brooklyn and raised in London, Balogun emerged from Arsenal’s youth academy.
After considering his options, Balogun chose to play for the U.S. Inspired by American fan support during a 2023 visit, he committed his allegiance to the U.S. team.