World Cup: Reyna scores trivela in USA's winning start against Paraguay
| Harry How/Getty Images |
Bayer Leverkusen’s Malik Tillman registered an assist as the United States started their World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory over Paraguay. The 24-year-old played 82 minutes in his World Cup debut before leaving his place for Borussia Mönchengladbach's Gio Reyna, who put the cherry on the cake in the last action of the game. Joe Scally (also Gladbach) was an unused substitute for the USA.
The game started with high tempo and plenty of goalmouth actions. The hosts took the lead inside the first ten minutes following a well-worked move by former Borussia Dortmund and Schalke midfielders. A one-two between Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie unsettled Paraguay's defense as Damian Bobadilla beat his own goalkeeper with untimely intervention.
La Albirroja's right-back Juan Caceres had a difficult start in particular as Pulisic ran the show for USMNT from the left wing. The AC Milan man provided the assist for the second goal as Folarin Balogun scored three minutes after his initial strike was cancelled for offside.
The Monaco forward completed his brace with the last action of the half as he unleashed an unstoppable shot after getting the better of Paraguay's captain Gustavo Gomez and former Hertha BSC defender Omar Alderete. Tillman was credited with the assist for his incisive pass that sent Balogun through on goal.
Luckily for Caceres, Pulisic didn’t return after the break as Maurico Pochettino brought Sebastian Berhalter in his place. Initial reports suggest it could just be for precaution instead of an injury. Early in the second half, Danny Makkelie became the first World Cup referee to use VAR for a mistaken identity regarding a yellow card decision.
Paraguay's half-time substitute Mauricio reduced the deficit with his first international goal before Tillman failed to convert from his only clear-cut chance of the game. Nonetheless, Leverkusen’s all-rounder was one of the best players in the second-half.
Paraguay pushed to build on their first goal, but USA regained control in the closing stage of the game. Ex-Augsburg striker Ricardo Pepi had a couple of chances before fellow substitute Reyna scored with the outside of his foot after yet another patient buildup play from Pochettino's men. Reyna's goal created history as USA scored four for the first time in a World Cup game.
At the end of a busy schedule on Saturday, Turkey will play against Australia in the other game from Group D. The co-hosts will continue their campaign with a game against Australia next Friday.
