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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
Among all the hoopla for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. had confidence facing Paraguay, a team it beat by 2-1 in a friendly in November 2025. That confidence turned out to be justified.
The first half in front of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California was a dream come true as the U.S. got on top in the seventh minute on a Paraguay own goal charged to midfielder Damian Bobadilla, after a Weston McKennie shot deflected off his foot on a clearance try and into the Paraguay net. McKennie was set up by midfield star Christian Pulisic, who split two defenders on the left side and fed McKennie for a left-footed shot that caromed in.
Striker Folarin Balogun got what looked like a goal in the 28th, but was waved off for offsides. But he was back in the 31st, taking a pass from the left wing by Pulisic in the center of the box and sending a shot to the right side of the Paraguay net for a 2-0 edge.
As the half neared its end, midfielder Malik Tillman sent a perfect lead pass from midfield that found Balogun between two defenders, who then rolled forward and sent a hard, left-footed shot to the roof of the far side of the goal at 45+5 for a dominant 3-0 lead at the half! The Americans had 72% possession and a 7-2 advantage on shots.
The second half had Paraguay more aggressive, of course, but the U.S. controlled the action until the hydration break at the 67th minute. Right after, however, Paraguay got on the board on a pretty goal by sub midfielder Mauricio, who took a pass from the right side by midfielder Julio Encisco and delivered a liner for Paraguay’s first goal, in the 73rd.
At 3-1, Paraguay had thoughts of getting closer, but the U.S. regained control and played most of the remainder in the Paraguay end. Finally, at 90+8, the U.S. was looking around, but sub midfielder Gio Reyna had room at the top of the box and sent a right-footed laser into the far side of the net for a 4-1 win and mobbed by his teammates.
The U.S. dominated with 65% possession and a 16-9 edge on shots, blocking five Paraguayan shots. It’s the most goals the U.S. has ever scored in a World Cup game! Next up for the U.S. is Australia on the 19th in Seattle, Washington.
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Canada opened the World Cup Group D with an entertaining match against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto, but with the first goal coming on a brilliant header by Jovo Lukic in the 21st for his first international goal, off a perfect cross from defender Sead Kolasinac. That goal held up for the 1-0 halftime lead.
In the 54th, Canada surely was going to tie, with midfielder Stephen Eustaquio feeding defender Richie Laryea, whose shot got past keeper Nikola Vasilj. But defender Sead Kolasinac was behind the play, on the goalline, and slammed his foot at the ball and managed the clear it … by hitting the crossbar, and ricocheting it back onto the field!
Canada kept the pressure coming and it finally paid off in the 78th as substitute striker Cyle Larin – only in the game for a couple of minutes – got hold of a flick-on into the lower box from forward Promise David, somehow turned in traffic and sent a right-footed rocket into the B&H net for the 1-1 tie.
Both sides looked for the winner and Larin had another quality chance at 90+6, but his shot was blocked by defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Canada ended with 61% possession and a 13-8 edge on shots, but was satisfied to come away with a point in a difficult match.
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