World Cup's First Own Goal
Damián Bobadilla's Own Goal Gives USA Quick Lead in World Cup Match
Key Points
The own goal arrived in the competition’s third match, and it was recorded as the first own goal of the 2026 World Cup—coming before the game was even fully underway.
Christian Pulisic’s build-up included him getting past “a pair of Paraguay defenders” inside the box before the ball was played to Weston McKennie; the attempt was to move it on to Folarin Balogun, but it instead bounced off Bobadilla’s right foot into the net. The moment was met with a heavy U.S. crowd roar at SoFi Stadium and teammates mobbed each other in celebration, while Bobadilla appeared in disbelief.
The U.S. benefited from that own goal to produce one of its fastest World Cup strikes: it was described as the U.S. men’s team’s third-fastest World Cup goal ever, and the first time in 20 years the U.S. benefited from an own goal in the tournament (per the Fox broadcast).
Brazilian coverage tied the reaction directly to Bobadilla’s club status, noting he is “a São Paulo” player and that he became the first active Brazilian-league player to “find the net” at the 2026 World Cup—despite it being an own goal.
The United States opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3–1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, thanks in large part to an own goal just seven minutes in. Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla deflected the ball into his own net at the 6:48 mark, giving the U.S. an immediate lead and setting the tone for the entire match, according to FOX Sports.
The early strike proved decisive. The U.S. followed with two more goals from Folarin Balogun — including a brace before halftime — to build a commanding 3–0 lead. Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but the U.S. held on to top Group D, USA Today reported.
Pulisic's Run Sets Up the Tournament's First Own Goal
The sequence started with Christian Pulisic cutting past two Paraguay defenders on the left side of the box. He played the ball toward Weston McKennie, who tried to flick it to Folarin Balogun. Instead, the ball struck Bobadilla's right foot and ricocheted past goalkeeper Orlando Gill and into the net, according to BBC.
The goal was the first own goal of the 2026 World Cup — the third match of the tournament. It was also the third-fastest goal the U.S. men's team has ever scored in World Cup history, USA Today reported. The last time the U.S. scored this quickly was Clint Dempsey's famous 29-second opener against Ghana in 2014. The sell-out crowd of more than 70,000 at SoFi Stadium erupted immediately.
Balogun's Brace Turns a Gift Into a Rout
After the own goal, the U.S. kept pressing. Balogun finished a low cross from Pulisic in the 31st minute to make it 2–0. He then found the top corner in first-half stoppage time to put the U.S. up 3–0 at the break. The U.S. held 72% possession in the first half, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Balogun's double was the first multi-goal World Cup performance by an American in 96 years — dating back to Bert Patenaude in 1930. Paraguay's substitute Maurício scored in the 73rd minute to make it 3–1, but it was too little, too late. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match, "For me, being successful is to win," Reuters reported.
Brazilian Fans Mock Bobadilla Over São Paulo Club Ties
Bobadilla's blunder spread far beyond the stadium. Because the 24-year-old plays for São Paulo FC in Brazil, rival fans from Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Santos quickly flooded social media with jokes. They pointed out that Bobadilla was the first active Brazilian-league player to "find the net" at the 2026 World Cup — even though it was in his own goal, Yahoo Sports reported.
Brazilian coverage treated the moment as club embarrassment. São Paulo's rivals used it to mock the club online, with the mistake going viral within minutes of the goal. Bobadilla, who appeared "in disbelief" on the pitch, was subbed off at halftime and replaced by Maurício — who ironically went on to score Paraguay's only goal of the match.
U.S. Sits Atop Group D With Path to Round of 32
The win puts the U.S. at the top of Group D. Paraguay now faces a near must-win situation against Turkey to stay alive in the tournament. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro was blunt after the loss. "USA were much better than us. They were stronger, faster, and played better," he said, according to Reuters.
Pulisic was substituted at halftime as a precaution, with no sign of serious injury. The U.S. coaching staff appears to be managing his workload ahead of their next Group D match against Australia in Seattle. The own goal was also just the 55th in World Cup history — and the first the U.S. benefited from in 24 years, since the 2002 tournament, Khel Now reported.
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