USMNT World Cup starts strong, Christian Pulisic sets up Team USA for a stunning first goal against Paraguay
United States Beats Paraguay 3‑1 to Open 2026 World Cup Group Stage
In a highly anticipated opening match of Group C, the United States men’s national team (US MNT) defeated Paraguay 3‑1 on Friday night at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game began at 9 p.m. ET and drew a packed crowd that quickly turned into a roar as the Americans took an early lead.
The U.S. entered the match ranked 17th in the FIFA World Rankings and was coached by Mauricio Pochettino. The match’s first minute of drama arrived when Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla accidentally directed a ball into his own net in the sixth minute, giving the United States a 1‑0 advantage before the whistle even blew.
In the 30th minute, New York‑born striker Folarin Balogun scored the United States’ first World Cup goal of the campaign, doubling the score to 2‑0. The moment was a milestone for Balogun, who celebrated exuberantly with teammates after finding the back of the net for the first time on the world’s biggest stage.
Balogun’s impact continued when he struck again just before halftime. A pinpoint pass from midfielder Malik Tillman set the forward up, and Balogun curled a shot into the top‑left corner, pushing the score to 3‑0. The two goals placed the United States in a dominant position heading into the break. In fact, the 30‑minute goal became the third‑fastest instance the U.S. has reached a two‑goal cushion in a World Cup match, following a 29‑minute strike against Portugal in 2002 and a 15‑minute goal against Paraguay in 1930.
Paraguay managed a brief rally when midfielder Mauricio—who was on the score sheet for the home side—pulled one back in the 73rd minute, trimming the deficit to 3‑1. The effort proved insufficient as the Americans held on for a decisive 3‑1 victory.
The win not only gives the U.S. a strong start to its group campaign but also provides a confidence boost as the team looks ahead to a June 19 match against Australia in Seattle. The victory showcased the blend of experienced leadership from Pochettino and the rising talent of players like Balogun, setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
