USA thrashed Paraguay in Los Angeles
Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina drew in Toronto
‘Captain America’ slipped into his surgeon’s scrubs and began dissecting Paraguay. His operation lasted only 45 minutes. It’s all Christian Pulisic required to mercurially inspire a 4-1 USA victory in Los Angeles following a Katy Perry-headlined opening ceremony. The inimitable voice of Michael Buble got the show started in Toronto. Then right boot of Cyle Larin snatched a 1-1 draw that sent every Canadian home feeling good.
Jesse Marsch identified Bosnia and Herzegovina’s biggest threat pre-game. Preparing for and preventing their aerial attacks nevertheless proved different propositions. Saed Kolasinac got the first header, flicking on a corner; Jovo Lukic won the second to silence Toronto Stadium. The volume was briskly back on full blast. Canada, with the masses behind them, forced Nikola Vasilj into a smart save and rattled the crossbar. When the clock hit 76, Marsch threw on Larin. The man born 45 kilometres down the road in Brampton vindicated the call merely two minutes later. Ontario erupted.
The Americans delivered a first period for the ages. Pulisic was unplayable. Folarin Balogun was clinical. The three-goal half-time lead did, in truth, flatter the Paraguayans. Mauricio Pochettino’s men, with Pulisic presumably resting, continued to create after the break and, after Gustavo Alfaro’s Guaraníes pulled one back via Mauricio, Giovanni Reyna sealed a stunning win. Was it USA’s greatest ever in the World Cup?
Canada, 40 years after debuting in the World Cup, finally avoided defeat in it for the first time in what was their seventh appearance.
USA scored four goals for the first time ever in a World Cup game. They also registered their joint-biggest victory in the competition, equalling their three-goal wins over Belgium and Paraguay 96 years ago.
Saturday 13 June (all times local) 12:00: (Group B) 18:00 (Group C) 21:00 (Group C) 21:00 (Group D)
Sources: FIFA Official
