USA v Paraguay: Balogun Shines as Co-Hosts Cruise in World Cup Group D Opener

• Folarin Balogun scored twice as the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opening Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium.
• Christian Pulisic created both of Balogun’s goals before departing at halftime as a precaution after taking a kick to his calf.
• Giovanni Reyna capped the victory with a stunning outside-of-the-foot finish deep into stoppage time, sealing the highest-ever World Cup score for the USMNT.

Balogun Delivers Dream Night as USA Record Their Biggest World Cup Victory

Co-hosts the United States delivered one of their most complete performances in World Cup history, dismantling Paraguay 4-1 at Los Angeles Stadium in their Group D opener. Folarin Balogun’s first-half brace, a Damian Bobadilla own goal and Giovanni Reyna’s stoppage-time strike gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side four goals in a single World Cup match for the first time, setting the tone for what the tournament’s co-hosts hope will be a deep run on home soil.

A performance from Katy Perry set the mood before kickoff, and Hollywood’s biggest names filled the stands for a night that lived up to its billing. Paraguay started with intent, Antonio Sanabria forcing an early save from Matt Freese with a cheeky effort, but from that point the match belonged entirely to the Americans.

The breakthrough arrived in the seventh minute. Weston McKennie played Christian Pulisic into space on the left wing, and the AC Milan forward bamboozled two defenders before McKennie collected the return feed and squared the ball into the box. Bobadilla could do nothing to avoid the deflection, and the ball rolled into the Paraguay net for an own goal that handed the hosts an invaluable early lead.

There was no drop in intensity from the USMNT. Sergino Dest came close before Balogun had the ball in the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The Monaco striker did not have to wait long for a legitimate one. Pulisic was released down the left wing in the 31st minute, and his pass took just enough of a deflection to sit up perfectly for Balogun to side-foot home with total composure.

The Americans would have been content to take a two-goal cushion into halftime, but Balogun and his teammates stayed aggressive and put the result beyond doubt before the break. Malik Tillman threaded a pass into Balogun’s path deep into first-half stoppage time, and though there was still work to do, the striker fended off a tackle, stayed patient and then blasted the ball into the top left corner of Omar Gill’s net. Los Angeles Stadium erupted. The midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Tillman and McKennie had been dominant throughout, full of slick combinations going forward and relentless defensive pressure when asked to retreat. The much-discussed backline, welcoming the return of center back Chris Richards, was solid throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Balogun became the fourth player in as many World Cups to score a brace in a host nation’s opening match, joining Neymar (2014), Denis Cheryshev (2018) and Enner Valencia (2022). The last USMNT player to score more than one goal in a single World Cup match was Bert Patenaude, who hit a hat trick against the same opposition all the way back in 1930.

“It’s a dream. It’s a dreamy night,” Balogun said after the match. “I’ve not been able to take it all in after this. I’m sure when I get back to my hotel and I rest, I’m sure I’m going to really be able to be in the moment and experience how much of an amazing night this is.”

The second half told a slightly different story. Pulisic did not return after the break, and the USMNT’s level dipped without their talisman. Paraguay coach Alfredo Moreno replaced Bobadilla with attacking midfielder Mauricio, and the substitute injected fresh impetus into the South Americans. In the 73rd minute Mauricio latched on to a subtle pass from Julio Enciso and fired home to give Paraguay a lifeline and introduce a sliver of tension to the proceedings.

Pulisic later explained the precautionary withdrawal. “I just got a bit of a kick first half so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,” he told Fox Sports. “Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

Paraguay’s goal reawakened the hosts rather than rattling them. Tillman could have restored the three-goal cushion moments later but hesitated in front of goal, allowing Gill to save comfortably. The fourth did arrive in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time when Reyna delivered the coup de grace, curling a sublime outside-of-the-foot finish beyond Gill to send the crowd home in a state of delirium.

Captain Tim Ream reflected on the occasion with pride. “It’s an honour to lead the team and just to be part of the group is a huge honour. We’ve put in a lot of work and the guys have done a lot to get to this point. To put in a performance like that and get three points and start the way we have is everything that we wanted. Hats off to the guys – a lot of firsts… first goals and first goals it’s been a good night overall,” Ream said.

Forward Ricardo Pepi, who came off the bench in the second half, echoed that sentiment. “It puts us in a good spot, of course. It shows the amount of chemistry we have as a team and we’re prepared for the next one and all good vibes here. Being here at home I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere to open up our World Cup,” Pepi said.

Pochettino was thrilled with the collective display but insisted his players must stay grounded. “We are so happy, but that is only the start. It’s still two game to play. We need to enjoy about that start of the tournament, but knowing that we need to keep going and trying to improve and try to do better in this game because with me all the games [will be] very competitive,” the Argentine said.

He was keen to spread the praise across the entire squad rather than single out any individual. “I’m so happy, the players deserve big credit about the performance. And then it’s not only to talk about some names, it’s about to talk the collective. I think it’s not only [Balogun] or different player that can perform. I think the team was amazing,” Pochettino added.

The four-goal haul was a statement of intent from a side that had endured a turbulent buildup, including a 5-2 loss to Belgium and a 2-0 defeat to Portugal just three months earlier. On the night that mattered most, Pochettino’s players delivered the kind of performance American fans had been craving since the World Cup was awarded to the United States, Canada and Mexico eight years ago. The USA now face Australia in their second group match before a meeting with Turkey to close out the group stage. Paraguay, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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