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Reuters

The United States ⁠opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay on ⁠Friday, powered by a first-half double from striker Folarin Balogun, but the victory was tempered by concern over the fitness of Christian Pulisic.
The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match.
Balogun became the first US player to score twice in a World Cup game since the 1930 tournament.
“Amazing result,” US captain Tim Ream said. “It’s exactly the way we wanted to start the tournament.”
The US ‌broke through Paraguay’s defence in the seventh minute when Pulisic deftly split two players and found Weston McKennie, whose cross was kicked into the net by Damian Bobadilla for an own goal.
Shortly 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 half-time, taking a long pass and shaking off a sliding defender and hammering a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net to wrap up a flawless half for the home side.
The only blemish on the night for the US came when Pulisic ⁠was substituted at half-time by coach Mauricio Pochettino because of tightness in his calf.
“It was difficult for him to walk, but I hope that it is not a big issue and he ‌can be ready for the next one,” Pochettino said.
Following the match, Pulisic said, “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little ⁠bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the ‌next few days.
“I’ve had similar things before, staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”
Paraguay came out of the break with more intensity, and finally scored 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 stages of the match.
“The opposition were ⁠better than us,” Paraguay defender Junior Alonso said.
“We ⁠were able to play further forward [in the second half]. These are things we need to improve on for the next match. We have two games left, and we must improve. Regretting things won’t help us at all; we need to ‌use these mistakes to improve and put in a better performance that brings us closer to victory.”
Ream said his team would seize on the momentum.
“There’s not a whole lot of words to describe the feeling,” he said.
“You want to start the tournament ‌off on ‌a good foot, scoring four goals, getting three points. It sets you up for the rest of the group stage, for sure.”
Played under Los Angeles Stadium’s massive, semitranslucent 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 was sold out for the match, with the NFL home of the Rams and Chargers – and site of next year’s Super Bowl – configured for a World Cup ⁠capacity of 70,492.
“Massive thank you to the fans because the energy they gave to the team was amazing,” Pochettino said.

“We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well.”
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 pregame performance by singer Katy Perry and a parade of nations, where some booing could be heard when the Iran flag was carried into the stadium.
Iran play their first match of the tournament in Los Angeles on Monday.
The US next face Australia on June 19 in Seattle, while Paraguay will look to bounce back when they travel to Santa Clara to face Turkey.


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Giovanni Reyna of the US celebrates scoring their fourth goal with his teammates and coach Mauricio Pochettino. Photo: Reuters

Folarin Balogun (right) of the United States celebrates scoring his second goal against Paraguay at the World Cup. Photo: Xinhua

Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham watch the USA play Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. Photo: AFP

Canada’s Cyle Larin takes a moment and shuts out the noise after scoring his side’s equaliser. Photo: AP

Canada’s Richie Laryea (right) watches as his shot at goal is cleared away off the crossbar by Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac. Photo: AP

Alanis Morissette performs the Canadian national anthem at BMO Field. Photo: AP

Rows and rows of empty seats are seen in one stand during the game between South Korea and the Czech Republic. Photo: Reuters

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo (in dark blue shirt) and captain Son Heung-min (middle, winking) celebrate with the whole squad after their win over the Czech Republic. Photo: Reuters

South Korean star Son Heung-min had an off day, missing several chances. Photo: AFP

Coach Koubek said he expected more from forward Patrik Schick (left). Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match


The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match.


United States open World Cup campaign in style with ‘amazing result’ against Paraguay

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match

The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ever in a World Cup match