Folarin Balogun: First American to score brace in World Cup since 1930

Folarin Balogun of the United States, right, scores like clockwork by Paraguay’s Omar Alderete. (AP photo) Folarin Balogun had a choice of three countries. On Friday night in Los Angeles, the striker justified his decision in an emphatic way.The 24-year-old scored twice on his World Cup debut as the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 to open their first home World Cup in 32 years with the biggest win in the tournament’s history.In front of a sellout crowd of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium and with former England captain David Beckham in the crowd, Balogun became the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930.That year, Bert Patenaude scored a hat-trick against the same opponent, Paraguay, which remains the first hat-trick in World Cup history.

From Brooklyn to London via Nigeria

Balogun’s path to the US team was anything but conventional.Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, he moved to England when he was just a month old and grew up in London. He joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of eight and represented England at various youth levels, while featuring for the United States under-18 team.Balogun, who is eligible to play for England, Nigeria and the United States, committed his international future to the Americans three years ago. With England blessed with attacking talent and Nigeria’s absence at this World Cup, the AS Monaco forward is quickly becoming one of the faces of soccer in the United States.

Pulisic and Balogun punish Paraguay

The Americans took the lead in the seventh minute when Christian Pulisic forced an own goal from Damián Bobadilla down the left.Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage moments earlier only to be denied by an offside flag. He made no mistake in the 31st minute, finishing off another rush by Pulisic, whose 21st career assist moved him into fourth place in U.S. history.Balogun struck again in first-half stoppage time, collecting Malik Tillman’s pass, creating space with a smart break and firing brilliantly into the top corner to give the home side a 3-0 lead.Maurício pulled one back after the break but Gio Reyna capped the night with his first World Cup goal deep into the finish.The United States managed just three goals in four games at Qatar 2022. Under Mauricio Pochettino, they surpassed that number in one dazzling evening – and Balogun was at the heart of it.