Folarin Balogun scored twice as the USMNT beat Paraguay 4-1 at the World Cup
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History was made as the US dropped the 4th bomb on Paraguay.
For the first time in history, the US scored at least four goals in a World Cup game.
In addition, Folarin Balogun, 24, became the first American player since 1930 to score more goals in a World Cup game. Paraguay’s 4-1 victory also marked the first time that the United States won a World Cup match by three goals since 1930, when they also beat Paraguay. Team USA achieved a historic win in their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Southern California on Friday night.
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Folarin Balogun scored two goals in his first World Cup game for the US. (Getty Images)
Balogun’s big night marked a milestone in one of the most interesting American soccer stories in USMNT history.
The US raced out to a 3-0 lead, scored its first goal in the first seven minutes, and came within one goal of tying the biggest World Cup victory in program history. Even with a three-goal advantage, the Americans continued to press for a fourth goal. But after American captain Christian Pulisic went down with an injury, Paraguay got a goal in the 73rd minute.
However, in the final seconds, 23-year-old Gio Reyna scored a historic fourth goal to secure the US three points in the World Cup.
The American scoring spree began when Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla scored in the sixth minute, giving the Americans the lead in the highly-anticipated group stage game.
The American fans packed into SoFi Stadium roared as the USMNT got the first chance.
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Folarin Balogun of the US celebrates scoring the second goal with teammates in Inglewood, Calif., on June 12, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup Group D match against Paraguay. (Photos by Gary Vasquez/Imagn)
In the 30th minute, Balogun, who hails from New York, scored his first goal in the World Cup, scoring two goals.
Balogun’s strike made the US score two goals in the 30th minute, which was the third fastest time the Americans had scored in a World Cup match. The only time Team USA was able to put the ball in the net quickly was in 2002 against Portugal (29th minute) and in the 1930 meeting with Paraguay (15th minute).
Balogun’s special night continued before the break, when he scored again, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Balogun raced towards teammate Malik Tillman’s goal post before curling a shot into the top left corner for a superb goal.
Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, but raised in London, Balogun arrived at the famous Arsenal academy. He was discovered at the age of eight playing in the local “Sunday League” in London and joined the youth academy of Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in England.
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Christian Pulisic of the US celebrates with teammates after Damian Bobadilla of Paraguay scores a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match in Inglewood, Calif., on June 12, 2026. (Photos by Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn)
He had the choice of playing for the US or England, and when he decided which national team he would commit to, he took a vacation to the US in 2023. He felt so much support from American fans on social media that it had a major impact on his decision to pledge his worldwide allegiance to the United States.
Now he is the new star in America at the start of the World Cup which will be played at home for the first time in thirty years.
