Folarin Balogun scored the winner as the Unites States claimed a breathless 3-2 victory over Senegal in their penultimate friendly prior to the World Cup.

Those present at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte were treated to a thrilling contest on Sunday, particularly in the first 20 minutes of the second half, which contained two goals and two disallowed efforts. 

Mauricio Pochettino selected a strong starting lineup before making 10 changes at half-time, and the USA looked far more sprightly in the first period.

Sergino Dest put them in front after seven minutes, tucking into an unguarded net after Ricardo Pepi's pass around the corner released Christian Pulisic down the left flank, with the USMNT talisman supplying a pinpoint assist.

Pulisic then made it 2-0 in the 20th minute, rounding goalkeeper Mory Diaw to score after more excellent play from Pepi, and Senegal were indebted to Mamadou Sarr for making a goal-saving block before Sadio Mane swept home to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time.

Rather than slowing the pace of the game, the USA's raft of half-time substitutions induced further chaos, with Balogun, one of those introduced by Pochettino, seeing a lovely finish disallowed for offside before Mane forced the ball over the line to equalise, after Nicolas Jackson lifted it over the onrushing Chris Brady.

The USA had another goal disallowed in the 62nd minute, with Malik Tillman's finish chalked off due to a foul by Balogun, but almost immediately afterwards, the Monaco man finished on the swivel to restore the hosts' lead.

Balogun, Cristian Roldan and Weston McKennie spurned further openings for the USA, but they ultimately did not need a fourth goal as they secured an eye-catching friendly win ahead of facing Germany next Saturday.

Data Debrief: Pulisic ends goal drought as USA build momentum

As the USA build towards their eagerly anticipated World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12, the form of their attacking talisman Pulisic was a major concern.

He had not scored for his country since November 2024, going seven without a goal before Sunday, while he also failed to find the net in AC Milan's last 17 Serie A matches.

However, against Senegal, Pulisic provided a goal and an assist in the same match for the USA for the eighth time, with only Landon Donovan (13) doing so more often since 1995.

Pochettino's team were good value for their victory, racking up 15 shots and 2.7 xG, compared to Senegal's seven shots and 1.74 xG.