Match Report: USA 4–1 Paraguay — Balogun's brace, 70,000 fans, one statement match
Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half as the USMNT dismantled Paraguay 4–1 in their World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium — the most goals the U.S. has ever scored in a World Cup game. Pulisic set up two and came off at halftime with a calf knock. Gio Reyna added the fourth in stoppage time.
USA 4–1 Paraguay: Balogun's brace, 70,000 fans, one statement match
June 12, 2026 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET | Att: 70,492
The host nation's first World Cup match on home soil in 32 years ended in a demolition. Three goals before halftime, 65% possession, a fourth in stoppage time.
Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half — the second American to bag multiple goals in a World Cup game. The first was Bert Patenaude, against Paraguay in 1930. 1
Key events
7' — Pulisic split two defenders, fed McKennie, and Bobadilla deflected the ball into his own net.
31' — Pulisic drove into the box and set up Balogun for a low finish right corner. Goal number one.
45+5' — Tillman played Balogun in behind; he rode a slide tackle and curled left-footed into the top corner. 3–0 at the break — the first time the USMNT has ever led by three at halftime in a World Cup. 3
HT — Pulisic didn't come back. Calf knock from the first half; Pochettino called it precautionary. "We did not want to take any risks." 4 He's expected fit for Seattle.
73' — Mauricio pulled one back after a sharp Enciso pass.
90+8' — Sub Gio Reyna bent one in with the outside of his right foot. Done.
USA finished with 16 shots to Paraguay's 9, allowing just one on target all game. Pulisic's two assists give him three career World Cup assists — the most ever by a USMNT player. 1
Verdict: A 4–1 that was never close.
Up next: USA vs. Australia — June 19, 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT, Lumen Field, Seattle (FOX)
Quote of the Day: "This being in America, having this crowd around us, seeing the red, white, and blue — it's really pushing us forward." — Christian Pulisic 2
References
- 1USMNT vs. Paraguay Match Recap
ussoccer.com
- 2World Cup recap — Los Angeles Times
latimes.com
- 3U.S. beats Paraguay — ESPN
espn.com
- 4Pulisic substitution — World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com
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