Balogun stars as United States thrash Paraguay in World Cup statement

The United States sent a major message at its home World Cup overnight, beating Paraguay 4-1 to boost expectations for the rest of the tournament. Mauricio Pochettino’s team raced to a 3-0 halftime lead with a seventh-minute goal from Damion Boadiya and a brace from Folarin Balogun in the 31st minute and deep into first-half stoppage time. Giovanni Reyna added a fourth in the 98th minute, while Mauricio Prado scored Paraguay’s only goal in the 73rd minute.

The result carried special meaning because Paraguay has become a lucky opponent for the Americans. The two sides also met at the 1930 World Cup, when the United States won 3-0, and this was the Americans’ first World Cup victory by a three-goal margin in 96 years.

Balogun, 24, was named player of the match after a goal-filled performance that underlined his unusual path to the U.S. team. Born in Brooklyn, he moved to England as a child, joined Arsenal’s academy, then moved to France after failing to break into the senior side. In 2023 he signed a five-year deal with Monaco, where he still plays. He was eligible for the United States, England, and Nigeria, where his parents were born. After representing England at youth level, he chose the U.S.

According to The New York Times, the Americans began pursuing him in 2023 after he did not receive an England under-21 call-up. He later trained in Orlando, where the U.S. team was also based, and fans rallied behind him after his social media post from the trip revealed a mural reading, “Here to chase the tail.” Balogun said the support mattered: “I just remember a tremendous appreciation from the fans. I did not realize at that moment how big football is here in America. Feeling it at full strength was inspiring. It made the decision easier.”

ESPN called the opener a “magical Hollywood party,” while BBC questioned whether the United States can really join football’s elite. Former goalkeeper Tony Meola said, “Now we are a football nation.” There was one concern, though, as Christian Pulisic, who assisted one of the goals, left after 45 minutes with a minor hit to the thigh and said, “I really hope it is nothing.” The Americans now face Australia and Turkey in group play.