Folarin Balogun scores two goals for US in World Cup opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 3:09 AM
Last updated Jun 13, 2026
Folarin Balogun scored two goals for the United States in their World Cup debut against Paraguay on June 13, 2026, leading to a 4-1 victory. The match took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with a crowd of 70,492. The U.S. took an early lead with an own goal before Balogun added to the tally, becoming the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. His second goal came just before halftime. The match featured significant attendance, including notable figures like retired England captain David Beckham.
- •Folarin Balogun scores two goals in his World Cup debut.
- •U.S. leads 1-0 after an own goal by Damian Bobadilla.
- •Balogun scored the second and third goals before halftime.
- •The match is held at SoFi Stadium with 70,492 spectators.
- •This is the first U.S. multi-goal performance in a World Cup match since 1930.
- 5:02 AMYahoo Sports — Folarin Balogun has done something no other USMNT player has done since 1930
- 3:09 AMYahoo Sports — Folarin Balogun, who could have played for England or Nigeria, scores 2 for US in World Cup debut
"Folarin Balogun could have played for any one of three countries. With retired England captain David Beckham looking on, Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Back then, Bert Patenaude scored all three goals in a 3-0 U.S. win over Paraguay, the first hat trick in World Cup history.
"Folarin Balogun did more than score twice for the United States against Paraguay, he reached a World Cup mark no USMNT player had touched for 96 years. The striker led the line in a 4-1 win at SoFi Stadium, giving Mauricio Pochettino’s side a dream start to its home World Cup campaign.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 5:02 AMFolarin Balogun has done something no other USMNT player has done since 1930
Folarin Balogun did more than score twice for the United States against Paraguay, he reached a World Cup mark no USMNT player had touched for 96 years. The striker led the line in a 4-1 win at SoFi Stadium, giving Mauricio Pochettino’s side a dream start to its home World Cup campaign.
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 3:09 AMFolarin Balogun, who could have played for England or Nigeria, scores 2 for US in World Cup debut
Folarin Balogun could have played for any one of three countries. With retired England captain David Beckham looking on, Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Back then, Bert Patenaude scored all three goals in a 3-0 U.S. win over Paraguay, the first hat trick in World Cup history.
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