Pulisic shines as United States beat Paraguay 4-1, Canada held and VAR draws focus | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic lit up the co-hosts’ opener, the United States easing past Paraguay as Canada toiled in Toronto. El Periódico Mediterráneo reports on a night that also delivered a VAR talking point and a pre-match show.

Canada were held 1-1 by Bosnia, Lukic heading the visitors ahead in the 21st minute before Cyle Larin levelled in the 79th. It was Canada’s first goal at a home World Cup.

In Los Angeles, the United States were 3-0 up at half-time with Pulisic involved in each. He forced a Bobadilla own goal in the seventh minute, then in the 31st teed up Folarin Balogun for 2-0.

On the stroke of half-time he sparked the third, Balogun finishing high after flooring Alderete to complete his brace, and it finished 4-1. Pulisic was withdrawn at the break.

Donald Trump skipped the hosts’ opener, breaking tradition of host leaders attending. He is saving himself for the 19 July final in New York. In the directors’ box were Paraguay’s president Santiago Peña and Infantino, while Katy Perry closed the show at SoFi Stadium.

The new VAR remit also drew attention, with Danny Makkelie refereeing and Carlos Del Cerro Grande in the booth. After a clear Miguel Almirón dive saw Tim Ream wrongly booked, an identity confusion clause triggered a review and the caution was rescinded.

Tonight brings the first four-game block. From 21:00 it is Qatar v Switzerland, then Brazil v Morocco at 00:00, Haiti v Scotland at 03:00 and Australia v Türkiye at 06:00.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo