US scores first goal at 2026 World Cup off own goal
Jordan MendozaEditor's note:Follow along live for 2026 World Cup opening match and thestar-studded opening ceremony!
INGLEWOOD, CA — The U.S. men's national team is on the board at the 2026 World Cup.
USMNT didn't take much time to score in the opening match up against Paraguay on Friday, June 12, getting its first goal in the seventh minute. It wasn't by a U.S. player either, coming off an own goal from Paraguay defender Damián Bobadilla.
The own goal happened after star midfielder Christian Pulisic made a spectacular move to get past a pair of Paraguay defenders inside the box. He passed it to Weston McKennie and he was attempting to pass it to forward Folarin Balogun, but it instead bounced off the right foot of Bobadilla and into the net.
The heavily pro U.S. crowd inside SoFi Stadium erupted with a roar as the rest of the U.S. squad mobbed each other in celebration, while Bobadilla was in disbelief he was the reason his team fell into an early deficit.
Watch every 2026 World Cup game with FuboIt was the third fastest goal the U.S. has ever scored in World cup history, and first time in 20 years it benefited from an own goal in the tournament, according to the Fox broadcast.
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