Balogun Brace Powers USA to 4–1 World Cup Win Over Paraguay

The United States defeated Paraguay 4–1 at Los Angeles Stadium in front of 70,492 fans to begin their home World Cup campaign. Damián Bobadilla turned Christian Pulisic's seventh-minute cross into his own net, Folarin Balogun struck twice before the break with assists from Pulisic and Malik Tillman, and substitute Giovanni Reyna sealed the win in stoppage time after Maurício had pulled one back for Paraguay with Julio Enciso's assist.

Mauricio Pochettino's side led 3–0 at half-time and finished with 65% possession, 16 shots and six on target to Paraguay's nine and one. Balogun became the first American to score twice in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude in 1930 and was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match.

The result puts the USA top of Group D on three points with a +3 goal difference. Paraguay sit bottom after matchday one. The USMNT next face Australia in Seattle on 19 June, while Paraguay meet Türkiye in Santa Clara on the same day.