'Three goals in the first half': USA delivers 4-1 rout over Paraguay before 70,000 spectators as Balogun explodes with multiple goals

*This content was translated by AI.

The United States men's national soccer team, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, marked its tournament debut with a decisive victory before approximately 70,000 home fans.

Led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in the opening Group D match of the tournament held at the Los Angeles Stadium in the United States on the 13th (Korean time).

Securing a victory before a crowd of 70,004, the United States has taken a favorable position in the race for the 32nd-round qualification spots, which are awarded to the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-place teams among the 12th groups. Meanwhile, Paraguay, which failed to avoid a crushing defeat from the opening match, is now in a state of emergency regarding its tournament qualification prospects.

The United States seized control of the match early. In the 7th minute of the first half, a cross delivered from the left side of the penalty area struck the leg of Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), deflected, and resulted in an own goal.

With momentum on their side, the United States extended the lead in the 31st minute of the first half. After a run down the left flank, Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) delivered a cutback, which Paulo Balogun (AS Monaco) finished with a right-footed non-stop shot.

Shortly after, in the late added time of the first half, Balogun received a pass from Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), penetrated the space behind the right defense, and shook the net with a powerful left-footed shot, putting the United States ahead 3-0 at halftime.

Playing under overwhelming dominance with 72% ball possession and a 7-2 shot advantage in the first half, the United States briefly faltered as Paraguay launched a counterattack in the second half. Ultimately, the United States conceded a goal in the 28th minute of the second half when Mauricio (Palmeiras) scored with a left-footed shot after penetrating the space behind the defense.

Immediately after conceding the goal, the United States failed to shift the momentum as Tillman's shot from the front of the penalty area went straight toward the goalkeeper. However, throughout the remaining time, the United States repeatedly repelled Paraguay's pursuit and sealed the victory with a stunning long-range goal by Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach) in the final moments of added time.

The United States will face Australia on the 20th and Turkey on the 26th in the Group D second and third matches of the tournament.

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*This content was translated by AI.