Folarin Balogun delivers dream FIFA World Cup start as USA storm past Paraguay

The striker scored twice in a dominant first-half display that helped Mauricio Pochettino's side make the perfect start to their Group Stage campaign. The result extended the USA's strong recent World Cup group record and marked Paraguay's disappointing return to the finals after a 16-year absence.

The Americans took the lead inside eight minutes when Christian Pulisic burst into the penalty area and sent a dangerous ball across goal. After a touch from Weston McKennie, Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net under pressure.

Pulisic remained at the centre of the USA's attacking threat throughout the opening period. Balogun thought he had doubled the lead midway through the half, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Monaco forward did not have to wait long for his first World Cup goal, however. Pulisic chased down a loose ball on the wing and delivered a precise cut-back that Balogun calmly converted.

The striker struck again just before half-time with the standout moment of the match. Running onto a through ball from Malik Tillman, Balogun cut inside two defenders before curling a superb finish into the top corner to give the USA a 3-0 lead at the break.

Paraguay showed more determination after the interval and eventually pulled a goal back through substitute Mauricio, who finished a move created by Julio Enciso and Miguel Almirón to score his first senior international goal.

Any hopes of a comeback were ended deep into stoppage time. After a flowing 26-pass move, Giovanni Reyna applied the finishing touch with a clever effort that sealed a memorable 4-1 victory.

The win was historic for the USA, who scored four goals in a World Cup match for the first time and recorded their biggest victory in the competition.

For Balogun, the evening was even more special. The New York-born striker, who switched his international allegiance to the United States in 2023, described the occasion as unforgettable.

"A real dream, you know? It's a dream, it's a dreamy night," Balogun told reporters after the match.

"I've not been able to take it all in afterwards. 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."

Despite his match-winning display, Balogun revealed his celebrations would be low-key.

"To be honest, I think I'll probably just watch some Netflix," he said with a smile.

The striker also spoke about the support he has received since choosing to represent the United States.

"When I committed, and throughout the whole journey to me being at this point, I've always said the fans gave me so much motivation and showed me so much support," he said.

"For me the most important thing has always been to be able to repay that. I just want to continue to show the fans I made the right decision."

Team-mate Christian Pulisic praised Balogun's impact and finishing ability after the match.

"The kid's insane. He's lethal right now in front of goal," Pulisic said. "Let's just hope it keeps going like this."

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