INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. has opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans’ historic three-goal first half. Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead. Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time. The U.S. scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.
Folarin Balogun, who could have played for England or Nigeria, scores 2 for US in World Cup debut
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Folarin Balogun chose to play for the U.S. and made a splashy World Cup debut. The 24-year-old striker scored two goals in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the Americans’ opening match. The game took place in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,492 outside Los Angeles. With David Beckham watching, Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, he moved to England as a child. Balogun is now making himself an American household name during this Summer of Soccer.
