US thrash Paraguay 4-1 for dream World Cup start
The United States dominated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match of the World Cup in Los Angeles with a first-half brace by striker Folarin Balogun for a dream start to their home campaign in Group D.
The US broke through Paraguay’s vaunted defence in the seventh minute when Christian Pulisic deftly split two players and found Weston McKennie, whose crossing pass was kicked into the net by Damian Bobadilla for an own goal.
Soon after the first-half hydration break, Pulisic raced with the ball up the left side and sent a perfect cross to Balogun, who angled his shot past the diving goalkeeper Orlando Gill for a 2-0 lead.
Balogun struck again on the stroke of halftime, taking a long pass and shaking off a sliding defender before beating two players and hammering a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net to wrap up a flawless half for the home side.
Pulisic was surprisingly substituted at the start of the second half, and the team said coach Mauricio Pochettino would address the decision after the match.
Paraguay came out of the break with more intensity and finally got on the board in the 73rd minute with a goal from substitute Mauricio, who took advantage of a defensive lapse by the US.
But the Americans continued to control the game and Gio Reyna scored from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot in the closing action of the match.
High-profile spectators watch on
Played under Los Angeles Stadium’s massive, semi-translucent roof, the game drew a crowd of high-profile spectators, including Tom Cruise and David Beckham, who was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier in the day.
Despite pre-tournament concerns over high ticket prices, Los Angeles Stadium - home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, the site of next year’s Super Bowl and configured for a World Cup capacity of 70,492 - was a sellout.
The US entered the tournament looking to improve on their last-16 finish in Qatar.
Paraguay, meanwhile, came through the demanding CONMEBOL qualifying campaign to make their first appearance in the tournament since 2010.
The first men’s World Cup match on US soil in 32 years included a pre-game performance by singer Katy Perry and a parade of nations, where some booing could be heard when the flag of Iran was carried into the stadium. Iran play their first match of the tournament in Los Angeles on Monday, against New Zealand.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio watched the match alongside Paraguay President Santiago Pena and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The US face Australia on 19 June in Seattle, while Paraguay travel to San Francisco to face Turkey.
Earlier, Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B match.
- Reuters