Balogun Ignites USA With Stunning World Cup Brace
Folarin Balogun’s two-goal masterclass made him the first American to score twice in a World Cup since 1930.
A Record Untouched Since 1930
Los Angeles erupted the moment Folarin Balogun took the stage. The 24-year-old New York-born striker tore Paraguay apart with a clinical brace in the USMNT’s commanding 4-1 World Cup opener, instantly becoming the face of the host nation’s campaign. Nearly 19 million Americans tuned in to watch him dominate from the front — the biggest ever audience for a US men’s match.
Balogun’s double made history few saw coming. Not since Bert Patenaude — also against Paraguay — had any American scored twice in a single World Cup match. That was 1930. Balogun dragged that record across 96 years with ice-cold composure and technical quality that had SoFi Stadium shaking. He could have played for England or Nigeria. He chose the Stars and Stripes. The decision now looks inspired.
USA Top Group D in Style
The Paraguay demolition set the tone. A 2-0 win over Australia followed, cementing the United States at the summit of Group D heading into their final group fixture against Türkiye. The hosts look nothing like a nervous home side — they carry genuine knockout ambitions. Balogun at the sharp end of a determined USMNT attack is the clearest reason why this tournament could go deep for the Americans.
With Balogun firing and a whole nation watching, the USMNT have become one of the tournament’s most compelling stories. If he keeps scoring at this rate, a deep run into the knockouts — on home soil — is no longer wishful thinking.
