World Cup AS IT HAPPENED: England equipment stolen; USA’s statement victory

That wraps up Nine.com.au’s LIVE coverage of the FIFA World Cup.

Tomorrow is a big day, with the Socceroos kicking off their campaign aginst Turkiye.

TOMORROW’S SCHEDULE

All times AEST

5am: Qatar v Switzerland (Group B)8am: Brazil v Morocco (Group C)11am: Haiti v Scotland (Grop C)2pm: Australia v Turkiye (Group D)

The USA have sent a statement to the rest of the football world with that victory over Paraguay.

And from the stands to the watch parties around the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, there will be fans kicking on into the night.

Turning our attention elsewhere, England’s preparations have hit a bit of an odd hurdle with a stack of equipment stolen.

According to the BBC, the Football Association is still trying to work out exactly what was stolen when two vehicles transferring equipment to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City were broken into.

Some of the unaccounted for equipment includes balls and boots.

The team have not yet arrived in Kansas, and aren’t due in until Sunday morning (AEST).

The BBC reported two people have been arrested.

England’s World Cup opener is against Croatia on Thursday morning (AEST).

This is a huge day for the USA! In the closing seconds of injury time, Giovanni Reyna scored his side’s fourth goal.

With this 4-1 victory, the USA have beaten their entire goal-scoring count from the last World Cup in Qatar.

Paraguay are a highly-rated team, and this is a statement victory from the host nation.

Paraguay are on the board!

They’ve been the better team in this second half, but hadn’t to this point managed to really break through the American defence and threaten to score.

But after bringing on some fresh legs, Mauricio finally managed to get his side on the board.

The USA nearly get the goal straight back through, but the shot was sent straight to the goalie’s chest.

Unsurprisingly, there are stacks of A-listers in the stands watching the USA’s opener.

There’s the aforementioned Tom Cruise and David Beckham, Katy Perry – who performed in the opening ceremony ahead of this match – and Justin Trudeau, and Bill Gates was looking comfortable in a soft recliner-looking chair.

Here’s something you love to see!

A yellow card for a foul has been rescinded and re-issued after the fouled player was judged to have taken a dive!

Initially, American Tim Ream was booked for what looked like a clumsy foul on Paraguayan striker Miguel Almiron.

Just after play resumed, the referee stopped it again, and was directed to the VAR screen on half way.

Replays show there was literally zero contact between Almiron and Ream – Almiron had actually taken two steps after getting past Ream, and then threw himself to the ground when he realised the ball was going to go out.

It looks farcical, and is the best example of one of the worst parts of elite football. He’s booked officially for ‘simulation’.

The reason for the VAR review – ‘mistaken identity’ – is also rather amusing.

Since the break, Paraguay have been far more threatening, but neither side has managed to add to the score.

THEY’VE GOT A THIRD. The USA are heading into half time 3-0 up against Paraguay.

Balogun has a second and the Paraguayan’s cannot believe it.

“The Paraguayan fans are crestfallen, and players are looking around shell shocked,” Kevin Keatings said for SBS.

Deep into injury time, the goal was virtually the last action of the first half. As the whistle blew and the Americans started making their way off the field, the Paraguayans got into a huddle.

“The inquest has already started on the pitch for Paraguay,” Keatings quipped.

For SBS, Socceroos legend Harry Kewell is a fan too.

“There was a lot of talk about (the USA), but even I’ve been blown away by their movement patterns, their one-two passing,” he said.

“Their attacking play has been fantastic. So (USA coach Mauricio) Pochettino … he couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

Indeed, they’ve got a mountain to climb in the second half.

THEY’RE IN AGAIN! The USA as it turns out can play soccer and have now gone up a second goal.

And the assistant’s flag has stayed down. Once again it was Folarin Balogun.

There was a break down the wing, and then a perfect cross to Balogun who calmly slotted it past the ’keeper.

“Paraguay are in deep, deep trouble!” Keven Keatings said in commentary,

The cheers are deafening and I’m sitting a few thousand kilometres away in south-western Sydney.

Oh, so close! The USA looked to have scored a second goal, but the assistant’s flag was up and replays showed Folarin Balogun was clearly offside.

The USA started to look much better in the minutes before the drinks break, and Paraguay would have been more than happy to have taken the two minute breather.

The clock has now ticked over the half-hour mark.