Folarin Balogun announced himself to the world on Friday night, scoring twice as the United States thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their 2026 World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Kick-off was at 9:00 PM local time on Friday, 12 June, which means Nigerian fans watching from home caught the action from 2:00 AM WAT into Saturday morning. For those who stayed up, the show was absolutely worth it.
A Damian Bobadilla own goal opened the scoring in the seventh minute, Balogun netted in the 31st and 45th minutes, and Giovanni Reyna applied the finishing touch in stoppage time. In front of 70,492 fans, the host nation issued a serious statement of intent on day two of the tournament.
Moreover, the result is historic. America’s 4-1 victory marks the most goals the United States have ever scored in a single World Cup match, breaking a record that had stood since 1930, when they beat both Belgium and Paraguay 3-0.
Furthermore, Mauricio Pochettino’s side produced a performance defined by intelligence, intensity, and relentless off-the-ball movement that left Paraguay completely unable to cope. Christian Pulisic drove the first half before being withdrawn at half time as a precaution after feeling tightness in his calf. Balogun picked up where he left off and never allowed the momentum to drop.
For Nigerian fans specifically, Balogun’s performance carries an additional layer of significance. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Nigerian and British heritage, Balogun grew up in England and came through the Arsenal academy.
He was eligible to represent Nigeria, England, and the United States. He chose America. On Friday night at SoFi Stadium, he looked every inch the right man for the job, finishing with a composed 9/10 match rating from GOAL and delivering the kind of display that makes neutrals sit up and pay attention.
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Match Details
- USA 4-1 Paraguay
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026 (2:00 AM WAT)
- Goalscorers: Damian Bobadilla OG (7′), Folarin Balogun (31′, 45+5′), Giovanni Reyna (90+8′); Mauricio (73′)
- Attendance: 70,492
- Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
A Perfect Opening: Pulisic and McKennie Combine
USA burst forwards from the first whistle, pressing high and moving the ball with a speed and sharpness that caught Paraguay completely flat-footed. In the seventh minute, Pulisic and Weston McKennie combined cleverly down the left flank. McKennie’s low cross deflected off Bobadilla and rolled into the far corner past a helpless Orlando Gil. It was an unfortunate own goal, but the intent and movement behind it were entirely of the USA’s making.
Balogun thought he had added a second in the 28th minute, only for an offside flag against Pulisic to rule out his effort. However, three minutes later, he got his goal. Pulisic drove forwards and cut back to Balogun, who swept home first-time from just inside the box. Clean, clinical, and precise. Then, deep in first-half stoppage time, Balogun struck again. Malik Tillman played a sharp pass into his feet, and the Monaco forwards danced past Omar Alderete before lifting a brilliant finish into the top corner. Two goals, a man-of-the-match performance already in the making, and the half was not even over.
Key Stats from Los Angeles
- USA xG: 1.42, Paraguay xG: 0.54
- Possession: USA 65%, Paraguay 35%
- USA accurate passes: 509 at 85% completion, Paraguay: 232 at 73%
- Shots on goal: USA 6, Paraguay 1
- Big chances created: USA 4, Paraguay 1
- Balogun: 2 goals, 9/10 GOAL match rating
- Pulisic: 1 goal involvement, 1 assist, 9/10 GOAL match rating before half-time withdrawal
- McKennie: 8/10 GOAL match rating, dominated midfield throughout
Second Half: USA Drop the Tempo, Paraguay Pull One Back
Pochettino introduced Sebastian Berhalter at half-time to replace Pulisic, and naturally the pace of the game dropped. Paraguay, who had been overwhelmed in the first half, gradually found more space to work with. In the 73rd minute, substitute Mauricio pulled a goal back after Julio Enciso nodded on goalkeeper Gil’s long clearance. It was sloppy defending from the US, and Pochettino made his frustration clear on the touchline.
Nevertheless, any Paraguayan hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished in the 90th minute. Freeman, who had been sharp all evening on the right flank, interchanged with Timothy Weah before feeding Reyna unmarked inside the area. Reyna struck the ball with the outside of his right boot past Gil into the far corner. It was the perfect way to close out a historic night.
Balogun’s Story
Balogun’s journey to this moment is one of the more compelling stories at this World Cup. After leaving the Arsenal academy without a first-team breakthrough, a loan spell at Middlesbrough led to a more productive stint at Stade de Reims, where he scored 21 goals in 37 appearances. Monaco came calling, and his career has not looked back since. He now has 11 goals in 28 appearances for the United States.
Had he chosen differently, that tally might have belonged to Nigeria. His eligibility for the Super Eagles was there. Friday night showed exactly the kind of talent Nigerian football missed out on.
Pochettino’s USA Are the Real Deal
Pochettino was honest after the match, describing the performance as “amazing” in the first 45 minutes while acknowledging there is still work to do. He was right on both counts. The first half was as good as any USMNT performance in recent memory. The second half was more uneven. Conceding a goal from a long clearance is the kind of sloppiness that better opponents will punish.
However, the evidence from Los Angeles suggests this USA side is not merely a host nation making up the numbers. They play with pace, tactical discipline, and real individual quality. Pulisic’s health is the key variable. If he returns fit for their next match against Türkiye, Group D could be wrapped up with a game to spare.
USA sit top of Group D on three points alongside nothing. Paraguay are bottom having conceded three. Next up for the hosts is Türkiye, and a second win would confirm them as serious dark horses for the knockout rounds. On this evidence, they are exactly that.
Also Read: Mexico Beat South Africa 2-0: Three Red Cards in World Cup Opener
