Balogun's brace launches the USA as Larin earns Canada a historic point

Two of the three host nations opened up on Friday, and they did it very differently. The United States blew Paraguay away 4-1 in Los Angeles with three goals before half-time, while up in Toronto Canada needed a late substitute to rescue the first World Cup point in their history.

The USA make a statement

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half, the second a curler into the top corner in stoppage time, and became the first American to score twice in a World Cup match since 1930. A Damián Bobadilla own goal had got it going, Gio Reyna finished it off late, and Paraguay’s lone reply barely registered. “It was definitely a statement, three goals in the first half opening game,” Balogun said, and it is hard to argue. Mauricio Pochettino’s side could not have asked for more.

Larin to the rescue for Canada

Canada’s night was tenser. They trailed Bosnia and Herzegovina to a Jovo Lukić header from a corner and looked headed for an opening-night loss, until Cyle Larin came off the bench and equalised barely two minutes after coming on. The 1-1 draw gave Canada their first ever point at a World Cup, having lost every game across 1986 and 2022. Co-hosting tends to concentrate the mind.

Group D: the USA top it after one game; Balogun's two goals were the first by an American at a World Cup since 1930.

See how Groups B and D stack up now on the live table.

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