After a 32-year wait for a World Cup match in the United States, the result was like a dream for the U.S. men’s national team.
Folarin Balogun scored two first-half goals in the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay in the Group D opener on Friday at Inglewood, Calif.
More good news came after the match when it was learned that star Christian Pulisic, removed at halftime as an injury precaution, is fine.
The U.S. had never before scored four goals in a World Cup match. They scored three total in four matches in the 2022 World Cup.
“A real dream, you know, it’s a dream, it’s a dreamy night,” Balogun said.
After a seventh-minute own goal put the U.S. in front, Balogun scored in the 31st minute and in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the break.
Mauricio got a goal back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, but Gio Reyna capped the match with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot strike deep in second-half stoppage time.
Balogun is the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude had three in a 3-0 win over Paraguay during the first edition of the event in 1930. The same match was the last time the USMNT earned a World Cup victory by at least three goals.
Though he might have deserved a celebratory party, Balogun had other plans.
“To be honest, I think I probably just watch some Netflix,” he said.
Pulisic, who was involved in the own goal and assisted on the second, left after getting kicked in the left calf during the first half.
“I don’t think it’s anything,” he said of the ailment.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said of taking Pulisic out at halftime, “We didn’t want to take any risks.”
The own goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla was the result of a well-crafted build-up, which started in the back when Alex Freeman pinged the ball to Weston McKennie with space to roam.
McKennie passed left to Pulisic, who slalomed through two defenders and drew a third before passing to the incoming McKennie in the center of the box. The ball deflected off Bobadilla for the third-fastest U.S. World Cup goal in history.
Balogun doubled the count moments after he was denied a goal because of an offside call. Pulisic wheeled down the left side again before a pinpoint pass between two defenders found Balogun down the middle for a one-touch goal.
Balogun scored a magnificent goal to close a near-perfect half for the United States. He received the ball down the right flank from Malik Tillman, moved inside defender Omar Alderete at the top of the box and spun around defender Gustavo Gomez before firing to the upper left corner for his 11th career international goal.
Mauricio got Paraguay on the board in the 73rd minute from a seemingly innocent play. Julio Enciso picked up a loose ball and fed it quickly to Mauricio for a shot past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
A moment later, Ricardo Pepi, who had just replaced Balogun, had an attempt saved by Orlando Gill.
Reyna’s goal, from just inside the 18-yard box, capped a back-to-front sequence by the U.S. team with time winding down.
In the 53rd minute, U.S. captain Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card for fouling Miguel Almiron, but the ruling was overturned. The yellow card instead was issued to Almiron for embellishment after a video review for “mistaken identity” showed there was no contact. This type of review is new for the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S. got a boost with the return of defender Chris Richards, who injured his ankle May 17 while playing for English club Crystal Palace. He missed the two most recent friendlies leading into the tournament.
Freese, who made one save, made his first World Cup appearance over Matt Turner, who started all four matches at the 2022 World Cup.
The first round of Group D play concludes Saturday when Australia opposes Turkey in Vancouver.
All four teams are in action on June 19, when the U.S. meet Australia in Seattle before Paraguay face Turkey in Santa Clara, Calif.
–Field Level Media
