KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States opened its FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, as Folarin Balogun scored twice and Malik Tillman and Giovanni Reyna also found the net.
Balogun thought he had given the hosts the lead in the 28th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside after both he and Christian Pulisic were adjudged to have strayed beyond the last defender during the buildup, according to Al Jazeera.
The Monaco forward made amends three minutes later. Antonee Robinson advanced down the left flank and found Pulisic, whose cross reached Balogun after a slight deflection, allowing the striker to put the hosts ahead.
The United States doubled their advantage shortly afterwards through Tillman before Balogun struck again on the stroke of halftime. Receiving a pass on the right, he beat two defenders and curled a superb effort into the top-left corner to make it 3-0.
The hosts dominated the first half, controlling 75 percent of possession and creating several chances. Defender Chris Richards, returning from injury, came close to adding a fourth before the break but headed narrowly wide.
Paraguay showed greater urgency after halftime and pulled one back when Julio Enciso set up substitute Mauricio, who finished from close range.
Any hopes of a comeback were soon ended when Reyna produced a moment of quality, curling a shot inside the far post with the outside of his right foot to restore the three-goal advantage.
The match was preceded by a star-studded opening ceremony featuring performances by Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, and K-pop star Lisa.
US President Donald Trump did not attend the event but reportedly wished the national team good luck via a phone call before kickoff.
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