Historic U.S. Victory in World Cup Opener

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The U.S. men’s soccer team made history by defeating Paraguay 4-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener in Southern California. This match marked the first instance of the U.S. scoring four goals in a World Cup game.

Striker Folarin Balogun, 24, became the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. The victory also marked the first three-goal win for the U.S. in a World Cup game since 1930, when they also defeated Paraguay.

The U.S. team quickly surged to a 3-0 lead, scoring its first goal within the first seven minutes. This early dominance set the stage for a historic performance. Despite the comfortable lead, the team maintained pressure, looking to extend their advantage. An injury to U.S. captain Christian Pulisic allowed Paraguay to score in the 73rd minute. However, 23-year-old Gio Reyna sealed the win with a decisive fourth goal, securing three World Cup points.

The match began with Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla scoring an own goal in the sixth minute, providing an early advantage to the U.S. The fans at SoFi Stadium erupted as the early lead energized the American side.

Balogun scored in the 30th minute, giving the U.S. a comfortable two-goal lead. Only twice in history had the Americans reached a two-goal lead more quickly: in a 2002 match against Portugal and in a 1930 game with Paraguay.

Balogun’s night got even better with a second goal just before halftime. His impressive strike, following a pass from Malik Tillman, delighted the crowd. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Balogun joined the Arsenal academy at age eight. Presented with the option to play for the U.S. or England, he chose the U.S. after receiving overwhelming support from American fans in 2023.

This victory marks a promising start for the U.S. team in a World Cup held on home ground for the first time in 30 years.

Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers political and cultural issues in sports with an investigative approach. His work has been recognized in federal government actions related to Title IX and featured in major publications such as The New York Times and ESPN.com.