News— 4 min read
The United States produced a statement of intent on home soil. In front of 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Mauricio Pochettino's side dismantled Paraguay 4-1 in their Group D opener — the most goals the USMNT have ever scored in a World Cup match.
Christian Pulisic was the architect. He split two defenders in the seventh minute to set up Weston McKennie, whose attempted pass to Balogun deflected off Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla into the net for a perfect opening own goal. The crowd erupted and never really came down.
Folarin Balogun took it from there. The Monaco striker slotted coolly after Pulisic's incisive run and cutback in the 31st minute, then finished in stunning fashion just before half-time — spinning his defender and curling a left-footed shot into the top corner. Two goals in a first World Cup appearance, the first American to score twice in a World Cup game since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
"It was definitely a statement," Balogun said at full time. "Three goals in the first half in the opening game — that's what you wanted to do."
Gio Reyna, whose 2022 World Cup was clouded by controversy and limited playing time, rounded off the evening in the dying moments, finishing with the outside of his right foot to seal a 4-1 scoreline. Paraguay had pulled one back in the second half, but the occasion was never in doubt.
Pulisic recorded his third career World Cup assist. Chris Richards returned from injury to start. The performance ranked, in the words of multiple reporters pitchside, as the best of the tournament's opening days. The USMNT face Australia next in Seattle on June 19.