USA 4-1 Paraguay: Balogun Brace Lights Up World Cup Opener

June 13, 2026

There was something electric about the mood inside SoFi Stadium on the evening of June 13, 2026 — and Folarin Balogun made sure the home crowd had plenty to celebrate. The 23-year-old striker bagged a brace as the United States powered past Paraguay 4-1 in their opening Group C fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, announcing themselves to the tournament in spectacular fashion.

Balogun, who has matured rapidly since his loan spell at Reims and subsequent move to Monaco, showed exactly why USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has trusted him with the central striker role. His first goal came in the 18th minute — a sharp, near-post finish after a clever interplay with Christian Pulisic — and he doubled his tally just after the break with a composed header from a Weston McKennie cross. The stadium erupted both times.

Pulisic Sets the Tone Early

It was Pulisic who opened the scoring on nine minutes, driving into the box and slotting low past Paraguay goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez following a precise through ball from Tyler Adams. The hosts looked calm and organised throughout the first half, pressing high and restricting Paraguay's usual rhythm through the midfield.

Timothy Weah added the fourth late in the second half, capitalising on a defensive error to slide the ball home and put the game completely to bed. Paraguay pulled one back through Julio Enciso in stoppage time — a consolation that did little to dampen the American celebrations.

A Statement Opening Night

This was not just a win — it was a message. Hosting the World Cup comes with enormous pressure, and a flat or unconvincing opener would have given critics plenty of ammunition. Instead, the USMNT delivered a confident, high-energy performance that suggested they are ready to compete deep into the tournament.

Pochettino was beaming at full time. "Folarin was outstanding tonight," he said post-match. "He's been working incredibly hard in training, and you saw the reward for that tonight. The team was brave, the team believed." Balogun himself was characteristically modest: "I just do my job and trust the system. The whole team was brilliant."

Group C Outlook

The result puts the USA at the top of Group C after matchday one. They face England next in what is already shaping up to be a pivotal encounter, while Paraguay must regroup quickly ahead of their clash with Morocco. With home support behind them and this kind of form, the Americans will fancy their chances of advancing deep into the knockout rounds.

For Balogun, who only committed to playing for the USA ahead of the 2023 Gold Cup after also being eligible for England and Nigeria, this was a defining night. He's no longer a prospect — he's a World Cup goalscorer on home soil, and that changes everything.