Canada: 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1
It was a landmark occasion for Canada, hosting a World Cup game for the first time. Half of the Canadian starting backline was out with injury, and would rely on new names to step up, including left back Richie Laryea and centre back Luc De Fougerolles, who played excellently.
Even with this, it was the Bosnians who struck first. All first half they were dangerous on set pieces, and in the 21st minute, striker Jovo Lukic headed a corner into the back of the net. Canada had some chances, with both of their strikers having a scoring chance, but neither would be able to find the goal column.
A huge moment came in the second half, when Canadian central midfielder Stephen Eustaquio slid a ball through to Laryea, who beat the Bosnian goalkeeper, but it was cleared off the crossbar and out by left back Sead Kolasinac. It was not a goal, but it was the play of the game, and a lifesaver for the Bosnians.
With the game coming to a close soon, Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch subbed in Cyle Larin in the 76th minute, and the substitution paid off immediately when Larin scored the equalizing goal in the 78th minute.
The game would end in a 1-1 draw, and second place in Group B now almost certainly will come down to goal differential.
Player of the Match: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta)
United States: 4, Paraguay: 1
The third and final host to take the pitch, the United States had no struggles winning their opening game.
An own goal from Paraguay central midfielder Damian Bobadilla opened the scoring, and the Americans never looked back. In the 31st minute, striker Folarin Balogun added one to the United States’ lead, and bagged a brace in first half stoppage time with a wicked strike after dribbling past multiple defenders.
Balogun even scored a third, but the play was whistled for offsides.
Paraguay did score one in the 73rd minute, a nice pass from striker Julio Enciso led to a goal from substitute Mauricio, making it a 3-1 game.
The United States weren’t done making a big opening statement, substitute Giovanni Reyna struck a ball into the back of the net in second half stoppage time to make it a 4-1 score, and the match ended there.
Balogun received all the headlines with his brace, but it was the captain, Christian Pulisic, who played excellent in just 45 minutes on the pitch, assisting one of the goals.
Player of the Match: Folarin Balogun (Monaco)