Balogun double sinks Paraguay as USA run riot in World Cup opener

Balogun brace buries Paraguay in World Cup opener

Paraguay's World Cup campaign started in the worst possible way. USA dismantled your team 4–1 in Los Angeles on Friday night, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice in a performance that left Paraguay chasing shadows (2) (4).

The first half was brutal. USA raced to a 3–0 lead before the break, with Sergiño Dest, usually a full-back, tearing down the right wing and earning comparisons to Dani Alves and Cafu (20). Christian Pulisic was running the show until he was substituted at half-time after feeling something in his calf (9) (10).

Paraguay had no answer to the pace and intensity. USA have now scored more goals in one match than they managed in the entire 2022 World Cup (18).

Pulisic scare gives USA a worry, but Paraguay gain little

Mauricio Pochettino said he took Pulisic off at half-time as a precaution. "It was difficult for him to go," the USA coach admitted afterwards, but stressed the decision was about protecting the player with the full tournament in mind (10) (14).

Pochettino was beaming about his team's overall display. "You are not going to quickly find teams that play like we did," he said (13). CBS Sports rated Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the standout performers alongside Balogun (11).

The result leaves Paraguay bottom of the group after the first round of matches.

What comes next

Paraguay face Turkey on June 20 in their second group match. Turkey also play USA on June 26 (12). There is no time to dwell, the tournament waits for no one.

Dutch referee makes history

Dutch official Danny Makkelie set a World Cup first during the match, issuing a landmark VAR intervention. It is the first time the specific procedure has been used at a men's World Cup (16).

Balogun leads the Golden Boot race

Balogun's two goals make him the tournament's early top scorer after the first two days of the World Cup. He cannot catch Mexico's Raúl Jiménez in the all-time overall standings yet, but his name is all over the Pichichi conversation (19).

Fan reactions

Paraguay supporters on Reddit are picking through the wreckage of a difficult night, with one post sharing alternate angles of Giovanni Reyna's goal that sealed the rout. The mood is grim but the focus is already shifting to the Turkey match as a must-win. See the footage here