World Cup First Week!
Inglewood, US, June 12 (EFE).- By Mikaela Viqueira
The United States defeated a lackluster Paraguay 4-1 in the World Cup opener on Friday, propelling the hosts to the top of Group D.
The match began to take shape early, in the 7th minute, when nerves got the better of the Paraguayan team as Weston McKennie delivered a dangerous cross to the penalty spot.
Paraguayan defender Damián Bobadilla attempted to clear the ball, but unfortunately, he ended up putting it into his own net.
The US attack struck again in the 31st minute when Folarin Balogun, the star of the afternoon, scored the second goal of the match with a great finish, capitalizing on a precise assist from Christian Pulisic.
Balogun, the tournament’s first top scorer, reappeared in one of the final plays before halftime to complete his brace and make it 3-0, a decisive blow that effectively ended Paraguay’s hopes before the break.
In the 72nd minute, Mauricio Magalhaes, who had come on in the second half to inject some dynamism into the Albirroja (Paraguay’s national team), scored his team’s first goal of the World Cup, a valuable strike that, for the moment, lifted the spirits of the Paraguayan side.
But the efforts of Gustavo Alfaro’s men were in vain, as they ran out of steam in the final stretch, which Giovanni Reyna capitalized on to deliver a decisive blow and seal the rout with the final goal.
The US team approached the match with a buoyant attitude, especially in the first half, spurred on by their home advantage. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were not only physically superior to their opponents, but they also managed to establish an unstoppable offensive advantage.
Paraguay barely created any chances during the game due to the suffocating pressure, which forced the South Americans to retreat into their own half to try and stem the barrage of attacks from their rivals.
With the lead secured, Pochettino decided to rest Pulisic for the second half, during which the team didn’t let their guard down and continued to display their dominance on the field.
Meanwhile, Alfaro’s men tried to mount a heroic comeback to overcome the impossible against an opponent incapable of relinquishing control of the game.
Even with Mauricio’s goal, capitalizing on a defensive error by the home side, the script of the match didn’t substantially change, thus granting the victory, somewhat predestined, to the World Cup hosts.
The three points earned by the US give them a key advantage in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey. Pochettino’s team will play again on June 19 against Australia in Seattle.
Meanwhile, Paraguay will look to bounce back that same Friday when they face Turkey in Santa Clara, California. EFE
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