The USA 4-1 Paraguay World Cup 2026 result was one of the tournament’s early highlights a record-breaking, star-studded night at Los Angeles Stadium that announced the co-hosts as serious contenders. Striker Folarin Balogun scored his first World Cup goals, a brace in the first half, and midfielder Gio Reyna iced the match in the dying moments as the USMNT collected three points in its first action of the tournament.
Balogun, Bobadilla OG, and Reyna Fire the USA to a Record Win
Katy Perry’s opening performance set the tone for what turned out to be an American party as Hollywood’s biggest stars watched the Stars and Stripes dominate a spirited Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. FIFA
The USMNT scored the most goals in program history for a FIFA World Cup match, with the opener arriving from the most unlikely of sources Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla turning the ball into his own net in the 7th minute, the fastest goal the USMNT have ever scored at a World Cup. Balogun doubled the lead in the 30th minute, then added a stunning third in first-half stoppage time. Paraguay’s Brazil-born midfielder Mauricio pulled one back in the 73rd minute after finding space on the left of the box, but substitute Giovanni Reyna restored the three-goal cushion deep into injury time, curling in a sublime shot with the outside of his right foot.
Balogun’s Story and What’s Next for the USMNT
Born in New York City to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Balogun was eligible for all three national teams but chose to represent the U.S. in 2023. His family was watching from the stands, and he called the win a statement: “A real dream. It was a dreamy night.”
The seventh-largest crowd to ever watch the USMNT in a World Cup match and the largest since 1994 witnessed a 70,492-strong crowd in Inglewood. The result also has historical significance: Paraguay had returned to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, with its best performance coming in 2010 when it reached the quarterfinals.
The USA now sit top of Group D. Next up is Australia on June 19 in Seattle. On this early evidence, the Americans look every bit as dangerous as a co-host nation should.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group D: USA, Australia, Turkey, Paraguay Preview →
Official match recap and full highlights are available at US Soccer’s website.
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