Fullerene Balogan had three countries to choose from. On Friday night in Los Angeles, the striker emphatically justified his decision.The 24-year-old scored twice on his World Cup debut as the United States thrashed Paraguay 4-1 to open their first home World Cup in 32 years with the biggest victory in the country’s tournament history.In front of a sell-out crowd of 70,492 at the Sophie Stadium and with the former England captain David Beckham Among the spectators, Balogan became the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930.That year, Bert Patenaude scored a hat-trick against the same opponents, Paraguay, the first hat-trick in World Cup history.
Brooklyn to London via Nigeria
Balogan’s path to Team USA has been anything but conventional.Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, he moved to England when he was just one 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 also featuring for the United States under-18 team.Eligible to play for England, Nigeria and the United States, Balogun pledged his international future to the Americans three years ago. With England blessed with attacking talent and Nigeria absent from this World Cup, the AS Monaco striker is fast becoming one of the faces of soccer in America.
Pulsic and Balogon punish Paraguay.
The Americans took the lead in the seventh minute when Christian Pulisic’s brilliant run down the left forced a Damien Bobdela own goal.Balogun thought he had only denied him for an offside flag moments before. He made no mistake in the 31st minute, finishing off another surging run by Pulisic, whose 21st career assist moved him to fourth in U.S. history.Balogun struck again in first-half stoppage time, collecting Malik Tillman’s pass, making a clever break and firing a superb shot into the top corner to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead.Maurício pulled one back after the break, but Gio Reyna sealed the night deep in stoppage time with his first World Cup goal.The United States managed just three goals in four matches at Qatar 2022. Led by Mauricio Pochettino, they overcame that tally in a spectacular evening — and Balogan was at the center of it all.
