After a fun first day of the FIFA World Cup, day two began.
After the excitement in Mexico the previous day, it was Canada’s and the United States’ turn to host. For Canada, it was historic, as it was the first World Cup game hosted there. Thousands packed the streets of Toronto and inside Toronto Stadium for the historic moment.
Canada looked for their first-ever World Cup win as they took on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The US looked to get their World Cup campaign off to a good start as they took on Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Les Rouges Snatch A Point
It was scrappy early on. The Bosnians were physical. Canada’s press was battling hard against them, but Bosnia’s structure made it difficult for through balls and wing overloads.
It felt like Canada were doing too much with their passes as they kept trying the long ball. As a result, the Bosnia defenders cleared the ball easily.
15 minutes in and the Canadians nearly struck first. Liam Millar’s cross found Jonathan David. However, the Juventus striker didn’t get enough power on the shot off his weak foot, and it was easily handled by Nikola Vasilij.
That chance came to bite Canada soon after. From the corner kick, the men in red displayed some poor marking, and Jovo Lukic headed the ball into the net.
Canada started to look more urgent after the hydration break. Their passes became simplified, and they started pinning the Bosnians in their own box. Bosnia at this point were more than fine with sitting back. It looked like they had eight players in the box.
Tani Oluwaseyi nearly brought the fans in red to their feet, but sent it to Lake Ontario.
It seemed everything for Canada seemed to run through Ismael Koné. His passes were cutting through the Bosnian defenders, but no one could take his gifts for a scoring chance.
It felt like a game you would be playing on EAFC. All those chances, no goals, but one mistake at the back causes you to be down 1-0. But Canada were barely testing Vasilij. Like many Drake songs, it was all bark and no bite from Canada.
Canada continued to try and pile on Bosnia. Richie Laryea nearly had a moment to remember. The Toronto FC full-back had a great link-up play with Stephen Eustáquio. Laryea’s shot went off Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac and off the crossbar. Inches.
Just a mere moment later, Ermedin Demirovic managed to get in behind Derek Cornelius and Luc de Fougerolles. Thankfully for Canada, Maxime Crépeau came off his line and made the save. That was nearly a disaster of epic proportions for Canada.
Promise David, Jacob Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed were brought on for extra boosts in exchange for Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch was making changes like for like, but it was bold to take off Jonathan David. But the Juventus striker was ineffective outside of his 16th-minute shot.
It looked like a goal was coming. Bosnia were hanging on by a thread. They cleared a couple of Canadian chances off the line.
The goal came. It came from Larin, who came off the bench a few minutes earlier. He charged towards the box and received Promise David’s one-touch pass and buried the ball into the net. Toronto Stadium and fans from coast to coast erupted.
That was all she wrote. Canada got their first-ever World Cup point. It could’ve, and maybe should’ve, been more; some of the passes were poor, and it was not a good goal to concede at all. Still, this result gives Canada a point to build on.
USA vs Paraguay: All American Dominance
Hours later, Christian Pulisic and the US began their World Cup journey against Julio Enciso and Paraguay in LA.
Chris Richards was active early on. The Crystal Palace defender was making clearances and blocks and set the tone early.
That helped because the Americans struck seven minutes in. Weston McKennie found Pulisic, who ran into the box. McKennie then took a shot, but the ball went off Damián Bobadilla and into the net. Pulisic absolutely cooked the Paraguayan defenders.
The Americans wanted more. They were buzzing after the goal. When they transitioned, they looked dangerous.
Antonee Robinson, AKA Jedi, made a great run down the left and found McKennie. He then made a nice pass to Folarin Balogun. Balogun made the right decision to pass to Sergiño Dest. But the PSV Eindhoven man’s first touch completely failed him, and that killed the attack.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were active with their press, and they were playing free-flowing soccer. It was fun to watch.
Balogun thought he had put the Stars and Stripes up by two, but the flag went up seconds after he put the ball in the net. Once again, Pulisic orchestrated the attack.
But just over a minute later, Balogun did score, and it did count. Yes, Pulisic orchestrated it again with a run down the wing, after receiving an excellent ball from Robinson. For some reason, the Paraguayan defenders gave Balogun so much space in the box.
Paraguay were overwhelmed. They struggled to move the ball up the pitch and lost it so easily. They were literally and figuratively chasing the US. The Americans were miles ahead.
That first half was the best the USMNT looked since…maybe 2018? Pulisic, Balogun, Robinson and McKennie were on fire, and the four of them looked like a monster that was hard to decapitate.
Right before the half, the US wanted to hit Paraguay while they were down even more. Malik Tillman played a beautiful through ball for Balogun, and he sniped into the top corner. One-way traffic. Cue The Simpsons Stop Stop, He’s Already Dead clip.
The Americans continued to control the game in the second half. Paraguay didn’t have much to offer. Well, other than a comically bad dive from Miguel Almiron and a goal from Mauricio. But by then, it was too little and too late for the Paraguayans.
The Americans put the icing on their cake with this fabulous strike from Gio Reyna. Many were questioning whether or not he deserved a call-up over Diego Luna before the tournament, but it looks like he proved his doubters wrong. What a strike this was.
Cue the Bald Eagles; it was an All American show in LA.
Stat of the day
Larin is only Canada’s second player to score at a World Cup. The other was Alphonso Davies, who scored in Qatar against Croatia in 2022.
Meme of the day
It did feel like it was prime Spain against Paraguay. It is still hard to believe that was the US.
We’ll also go with this meme blow. Maybe Larin had some shawarma before he came on. That would explain why he scored.
Fan Moment of The Day
Of course, the Canadians were polite with the Bosnian fans.
WTF of the day
Thierry Henry’s reaction said it all.
Wrap-up
On Saturday, there will be four games on the schedule. It all starts at Noon Pacific from San Francisco Bay Area Stadium with Group B opponents. Qatar are taking on Switzerland.
Then at 3:00 PM PST from New York/New Jersey Stadium, Vinicius Jr and Brazil take on Achraf Hakimi and Morocco. At 6:00 PM PST, Haiti take on Scotland from Boston Stadium. Finally, BC Place in Vancouver will host its first game of the tournament as Turkey takes on Australia.
It should be a good day for soccer.
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