On their home turf, the United States opened their World Cup campaign with a 4–1 win over Paraguay on Friday, powered by a first-half double from striker Folarin Balogun. He is also the first U.S. player to score twice in a World Cup game since the 1930 tournament.
The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match.
The U.S. broke through Paraguay's vaunted defence in the seventh minute when Pulisic deftly split two players and found Weston McKennie, whose cross was kicked into the net by Damián Bobadilla for an own goal.
Shortly after the first-half hydration break, Pulisic raced with the ball up the left side and sent a perfect cross to Balogun, who angled his shot past the diving goalkeeper Orlando Gill for a 2–0 lead. Balogun struck again on the stroke of half-time, taking a long pass, shaking off a sliding defender, and hammering a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net to wrap up a flawless half for the home side.
Paraguay came out of the break with more intensity and finally got on the board in the 73rd minute with a goal from substitute Mauricio, who took advantage of a defensive lapse by the U.S. But the Americans continued to control the game, and Gio Reyna scored from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot in the closing action of the match.
Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun
Born in Sunderland, Reyna holds dual US–Portuguese citizenship. It was in August 2025 that he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund. The right-footed attacking midfielder can also operate on either wing and played a total of 577 minutes on the pitch this past season.
In the Bundesliga, the 23-year-old could only manage a goal and an assist from 19 appearances. During his time at Dortmund, Reyna managed to play 27 UEFA Champions League games, securing five assists.
An Arsenal youth product, Balogun joined French side AS Monaco in 2023. The 24-year-old played 43 games across competitions this past season, scoring 19 goals and assisting five. Balogun has five Champions League goals this season to his credit, apart from his spoils in the league and cup competitions. His total tally for the former French champions stands at 31 goals and 13 assists from 91 games.
The U.S. will again be favoured when they face Australia on June 19 in Seattle, while Paraguay will look to bounce back when they travel to Santa Clara to face Turkey.
