The second day of this 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, delivered on all its promises. Between the American display of power in Los Angeles and the historic fight of the Canadians in Toronto, the North American continent thrilled its crowds. A look back at these two memorable matches.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (California) – Group D: United States 4-1 Paraguay
A Thunderous Start for the Co-Host
In front of a SoFi Stadium with the feel of a Super Bowl venue, the United States did not tremble. Facing an overwhelmed Paraguay, Mauricio Pochettino’s team delivered a polished performance, winning 4-1 with an authority that already makes them one of the favorites in Group D, where Australia and Turkey will enter the fray on Sunday.
Before the 70,000 spectators even had time to digest Katy Perry’s spectacular show, the Americans struck hard. As early as the 3rd minute, a lightning counter-attack, launched by Weston McKennie and finished with a cross from Christian Pulisic, found the unfortunate foot of Damián Bobadilla, who beat his own goalkeeper (1-0). The Paraguayan nightmare was just beginning.
Balogun on Fire, a One-Sided First Half
Paraguay, led by Julio Enciso (RC Strasbourg) clearly not fully recovered from his injury, tried to respond. A shot from the Strasbourg player wide of Matt Freese’s goal (12th) was merely a flash in the pan. The United States, carried by a high-class midfield where Malik Tillman (ex-PSV) operated as a holding midfielder and Sergiño Dest tore apart the right wing, did not let up.
Folarin Balogun, the AS Monaco striker, first saw a goal logically disallowed for offside (24th). But 75 seconds later, he didn’t miss his chance. Perfectly served on the left side, he picked out Orlando Gill with a fine cross-shot into the far corner (2-0, 25th). American success was total: Chris Richards saw his header go over (30th), McKennie was denied by Gill (32nd), before Balogun, with a drop of the shoulder on Omar Alderete, found the top corner for 3-0 just before halftime (45th). At the break, the match was already over.
Calm Management and a Final Fireworks Display
In the second half, Pochettino rotated, bringing on Ricardo Pepi (ex-PSV) in place of Balogun, who had already scored a brace. The Americans, less sharp, managed their lead. Paraguay, resigned, took advantage of the hosts’ drop in intensity to save face. Twenty minutes from time, after an aerial duel, Enciso crossed for Mauricio, whose cross-shot reduced the deficit (3-1, 70th).
Pepi thought he had served up a golden opportunity for Tillman, but the latter lacked conviction in the box (78th). The end of the match was quiet, until stoppage time. Coming off the bench, Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach) put the icing on the cake: a well-placed right-footed shot from the edge of the box that sealed the fate of the match (4-1, 90+2nd). A five-star performance for the Stars and Stripes, who take the lead in Group D and send a clear message to their rivals.
BMO Field, Toronto (Ontario) – Group B: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
A Historic First Point, Gritted Out
While the American victory was expected, Canada’s fate was much more uncertain. For their debut in Group B, the Canadians experienced an evening full of tension. Trailing on the scoreboard, they ultimately snatched a 1-1 draw that will go down in the history books: it is the first point in Canada’s World Cup history.
The first period was nightmarish for Jesse Marsch’s men. Without Alphonso Davies, injured and watching from the bench, the Canadian attack lacked sharpness. Worse, from a set piece, pragmatic Bosnia opened the scoring. From a Basic corner, Sead Kolašinac (ex-Marseille) deflected the ball at the near post, and the giant Jovo Lukić (6’4″) extended it into the net (0-1, 21st).
Courage Pays Off, Larin Enters Legend
After the break, the game changed radically. Canada pushed forward, but bad luck plagued them. In the 53rd minute, Laryea thought he had equalized, but Kolašinac, heroic, miraculously deflected the ball onto the crossbar. Immediately after, Demirović missed a chance to double Bosnia’s lead (55th). A frustrated Jesse Marsch made bold changes, bringing on Promise David in place of Jonathan David.
Nothing worked. The Bosnian defense, led by a heroic Muharemovic, held firm. As time ticked away, Marsch played his trump card: Cyle Larin. The national team’s all-time leading scorer (90 caps, 30 goals) came on in the 72nd minute. And as the saying goes, old pots make the best jam. In the 78th minute, after a superb piece of skill, Larin saw his shot deflected by a Bosnian defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Vasilj (1-1). BMO Field erupted.
The final eight minutes plus six minutes of stoppage time were a Canadian siege. Larin, once again, had a golden opportunity in the 96th minute to snatch victory, but Muharemovic saved his team with a desperate tackle. The score did not change. This draw, earned through courage, is a first for Canada, sparing them the worst. Bosnia, for their part, can thank their defense for this precious point.
The Verdict on This Second Day
This day confirmed the balance of power. The United States, carried by a brilliant collective and a Balogun in inspired form, are already on their way to the Round of 16. Canada, less flashy but combative, laid the first brick of their world championship history. With Mexico victorious the day before, all three hosts of this 2026 edition have risen to the occasion, offering a spectacular show to an entire continent hanging on its heroes. Now it’s time for the next matches, where Australia, Turkey, and Switzerland will in turn join the dance.
photo credit: AP
