World Cup hosts USA and Canada took center stage on Friday, with both games ending with different, but historic results.
Canada staves off defeat on home turf
In the first-ever World Cup match played on Canadian soil, Canada escaped defeat at Toronto Stadium, salvaging a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Bosnians struck first in the 21st minute, as striker Jovo Lukic headed home a corner whipped in by captain Sead Kolasinac. The Canadians created consistent chances, but the Bosnian defense held firm, the closest coming when Kolasinac cleared a Richie Laryea shot off the line in the 53rd minute.
Canada kept pressing toward goal and was rewarded in the 78th minute. Substitute attacker Cyle Larin received a pass from fellow substitute Promise David inside Bosnia’s penalty area, took a composed first touch, and finished past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to pull Canada level.
Both teams then raced to find the winning goal, but neither side could find the winner before the final whistle blew.
With the draw, Canada earned its first-ever World Cup point, ending a six-game losing streak at the tournament dating back to 1986.
USA hammers down Paraguay
The USA kicked off its campaign in spectacular fashion, demolishing Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles, its largest-ever win in a World Cup match.
The first half was a near-flawless performance from the US, playing the game at its own pace and with a vertical attacking threat that caused all sorts of problems for Paraguay’s compact, low block. This resulted in an own goal from Paraguayan center midfielder Damián Bobadilla in the 7th minute off a Weston McKennie cutback and a brace from striker Folarin Balogun in the 31st and 45+5th minutes.
Balogun, who later received the man of the match award, became the first USMNT player since Bert Patenaude in 1930 to score two or more goals in a World Cup game.
The intensity with which the US applied in the first 45 minutes did drop off in the second half, with Paraguay getting a goal back in the 73rd minute thanks to midfielder Maurício. But the early separation was too much for the Paraguayans to handle, and midfielder Gio Reyna added insurance for the Americans with a beautiful trivela goal in the 90+8th minute to capture all three points.
A great start for coach Mauricio Pochettino, who’ll be looking to keep the momentum for the USMNT going as the tournament progresses.
Delivered by Sean Paul
