Tag: Paraguay

LOS ANGELES: Folarin Balogun scored twice as hosts United States of America (USA) launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay in front of a packed home crowd on Friday.

The Monaco striker starred in a dominant attacking display as the United States delighted 70,492 fans at a sold-out stadium in Los Angeles, putting themselves in a strong position in Group D, which also features Australia and Turkey.

A number of high-profile celebrities were in attendance for the occasion, including Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton, as the co-hosts produced a performance worthy of the occasion.

The United States made the perfect start and took the lead inside seven minutes. Weston McKennie drove forward from midfield before linking up with Christian Pulisic, who returned the ball to his teammate.

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McKennie then found Balogun inside the area, and the danger ultimately resulted in an own goal by Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla.

Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage midway through the first half, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

The striker was not denied for long, however. Just three minutes later, Antonee Robinson released Pulisic down the left flank, and the captain’s cross found Balogun, who finished from close range to make it 2-0.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings and added a third goal just before halftime through another moment of brilliance from Balogun.

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The forward collected a pass from Malik Tillman on the right side of the penalty area, skipped past two defenders and curled a superb finish into the top corner to complete his brace.

Paraguay showed signs of life in the second half when Julio Enciso created an opening for substitute Mauricio, who reduced the deficit and briefly gave the South Americans hope.

Any hopes of a Paraguay revival were quickly extinguished in stoppage time when Gio Reyna produced a moment of quality to seal the victory.

The midfielder curled a delightful effort into the far corner with the outside of his right foot to cap an impressive performance from the hosts.

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James Rodriguez rolled back the years with a vintage performance to help Colombia open their Copa America campaign with a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in Houston on Monday.

Rodriguez, whose club career has languished in the decade since he rose to prominence with a dazzling performance at the 2014 World Cup, created both of his team’s goals in a deserved Group D victory at the NRG Stadium.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who has played just a handful of minutes for Brazilian club Sao Paulo in the two months leading into the Copa America, set up the opening goal for Colombia in the 32nd minute.

After finding space on the left flank, Rodriguez flighted a pinpoint cross to the far post to pick out Daniel Munoz, who beat Paraguay goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo with a firm downward header to make it 1-0.

Ten minutes later Colombia doubled their lead and again it was a goal engineered by the trusty left boot of Rodriguez.

This time the goal arrived from the opposite flank, with Rodriguez swinging in a wicked free-kick that was glanced in by Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

That made it 2-0 at half-time to leave Colombia firmly on course to extend their unbeaten streak to 24 games.

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Colombia continued to carve out the better chances in the second half, but Paraguay set up a nervy finish after Brighton and Hove Albion’s Julio Enciso pulled one back in the 69th minute.

Ramon Sosa crossed from the left and Enciso punished slack marking in the Colombia area to hook an angled first-time volley into the bottom corner past Camilo Vargas.

Colombia, however, controlled play after the Paraguay goal and looked the more threatening team.

The Colombians thought they had earned a penalty in the 84th minute when another teasing Rodriguez cross into the box ended with defender Yerry Mina appearing to be hauled down by Gustavo Velazquez.

Argentinian referee Dario Herrera pointed to the spot but subsequently overturned the decision after a VAR review.

Colombia play Costa Rica in their second group game of the tournament on Friday, before wrapping up their first-round campaign against Brazil on July 2.

Brazil open their Copa America campaign against the Costa Ricans in Inglewood, California, later on Monday.

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