Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw the USA and Canada, the two hosts, get off to a strong start in their campaigns. In a Group D match against Paraguay, the USA made the most of a goal-fest in front of a boisterous Southern California crowd. The USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 at Los Angeles Stadium thanks to two goals from Folarin Balogun.
In another Group B match, Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina drew 1-1 in Toronto. Cyle Larin's goal was only Canada's second in World Cup history; the squad had lost all three of its games in Mexico in 1986 and again in Qatar four years prior.Group D: USA 4-1 Paraguay Highlights
The United States opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with its biggest-ever victory in the competition, a thrilling 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans' unprecedented three-goal first half.
The Americans delighted their Southern California supporters with an aggressive attack and raced to a 3-0 halftime lead—the team's largest in any World Cup match—thanks to Christian Pulisic's assist in a brilliant first-half playmaking display.In the final seconds of second-half injury time, Gio Reyna scored another goal, giving the Americans their first four goals in a World Cup game.

Four years ago, the United States had never scored more than three goals in a World Cup match and had only managed three goals overall in its four games at the Qatar World Cup. However, in front of a fervent, star-studded Los Angeles crowd of 70,492, the Americans appeared to have changed under new coach Mauricio Pochettino's more inventive style.
Sebastian Berhalter took Pulisic's place at halftime as a precaution after he was kicked in the back of his left calf and experienced some subsequent discomfort."Remain optimistic," Pulisic remarked. "I don't think it's anything."In their first World Cup game in sixteen years, La Albirroja fell behind too quickly, despite Mauricio's goal for Paraguay in the second half.

Balogun scored in the 31st minute and again in the fifth minute of first-half injury time after Pulisic's playmaking gave the United States an early own goal.
The striker, who was raised in London and was born in New York, made his World Cup debut with the first multi-goal performance by an American player since 1930. Three years ago, Balogun decided to play for the United States rather than remain in the English system, where he probably wouldn't have been able to reach the Three Lions squad. The 24-year-old attacker from Monaco has quickly supplied the elite striker play that American sides have usually lacked.

Pulisic's outstanding runs down the left flank set up the first two American goals. Pandemonium erupted in the SoFi Stadium stands as the AC Milan star deftly split two defenders and passed to Weston McKennie, whose centring touch struck Paraguay player Damian Bobadilla's outstretched foot and went in in the seventh minute.
Around Pulisic's runs, the Americans progressively stepped up their assault. Three minutes after Balogun's seeming goal was disallowed due to offside, Pulisic ran down the left side once more and sent a deflected pass to the trailing Balogun, who scored.
Malik Tillman beautifully weighted a long pass to a streaking Balogun as first-half injury time was coming to an end. Balogun found space and then fired a fantastic effort into the far top corner.

Highlights of Group B: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
On football's grandest stage, Canada got its first World Cup point in seven games. Coach Jesse Marsch said the team was motivated by the sea of red-clad, maple leaf-waving supporters who kept yelling "Go Ca-na-da!"
In Canada's tournament debut at home on Friday, a slow start and an early disadvantage gave way to an exuberant jubilation when late replacement Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute to secure a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Just two minutes into the game, Larin converted Promise David's pass in front of Toronto's famous CN Tower, hockey star Connor McDavid, and celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers.

 Larin, who typically begins but had to wait until late in the second half on the bench, had an even more delightful moment.Larin, who plays for second-division English team Southampton and is from the Toronto suburb of Brampton, said, "It was an incredible feeling to score a goal on home soil, where I'm from, and celebrate with the fans in such an amazing atmosphere."
After losing all three of its games at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and again four years ago in Qatar, the goal was only Canada's second in World Cup history.  For Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is playing in its second World Cup, injury substitute Jovo Lukic headed in a corner kick in the twenty-first minute. The team participated in the 2014 competition in Brazil, but they were unable to make it past the group round.
The little Balkan country of roughly 3 million people continues to outperform its peers on the global scene despite giving up the lead, as seen by its elimination of four-time champion Italy in the European playoffs.