The U.S. men’s national team rode a strong first half to three points in its 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on Friday night.
A Damian Bobadilla own goal gave the Americans an early lead before Folarin Balogun scored twice in a 4-1 Group D victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. Christian Pulisic was a lively performer in the match as well, registering one assist in 45 minutes of play before being substituted off at halftime.
Gio Reyna capped off the match with a stellar outside of the boot finish in stoppage time.
“We are so happy, but that is only the start,” Pochettino said postmatch. “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.”
It was a fast start for the USMNT as pressure from Pulisic and Weston McKennie down the left wing led to an own goal from Bobadilla. Pulisic cut a pass to McKennie in the box before McKennie’s follow-up pass deflected in off of a tracking back Bobadilla for a 1-0 U.S. lead.
The goal marked the Americans’ third-fastest in a FIFA World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad doubled their lead before halftime as Pulisic teed up Balogun for his first World Cup goal. Pulisic raced upfield on the left wing before finding Balogun for a one-time finish.
It marked Balogun’s 10th-career international goal.
Balogun added his second goal of the night to give the Americans a 3-0 halftime lead. Malik Tillman’s upfield pass allowed Balogun to race into the box before cutting onto his left foot and drilling a shot into the top-left corner.
Balogun became the first USMNT player to register a World Cup brace since Brian McBride’s two-goal performance against Portugal in 2002.
VAR had one key decision to make in the second half after Tim Ream received a yellow card after originally being called for a foul against Miguel Almiron. However, after review, Almiron was given a yellow card for dissent while Ream’s original caution was waived away.
Paraguay pulled a consolation goal back through Mauricio’s 73rd minute finish on a sublime finish into the bottom-right corner. Both Chris Richards and Ream were caught stepping in on a play, allowing Paraguay to take advantage with an extra attacker.
Reyna delivered the final goal of the night after coming on as a second-half substitute. The 23-year-old picked up a pass at the top of the Paraguay box before stroking home with the outside of his cleat into the far-left corner of the net.
The USMNT’s World Cup schedule continues on Friday, June 19 against Australia in Seattle, Washington.
“I’m so happy. The players deserve big credit about the performance,” Pochettino said. “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.”