LOS ANGLESE, JUN 20: The United States advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage with one game to spare after comfortably beating Australia 2-0 in Group D on Friday.
The tournament co-host went ahead in the 11th minute when Folarin Balogun burst beyond the Australian back line and delivered a pass that defender Cameron Burgess turned into his own net.
The U.S. doubled its advantage shortly before halftime as Alex Freeman headed home from close range, a goal that was initially ruled out for offside but awarded following a VAR review, sparking jubilant celebrations on a sun-splashed afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.
The U.S. moved on to six points and into the round of 32. It will conclude Group D against Turkey on Thursday at Los Angeles Stadium, while Australia, on three points, faces Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
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USA vs Australia player ratings
USA: Matt Freese (6.7), Alex Freeman (8.4), Chris Richards (7.5), Tim Ream (7.0), Sergino Dest (7.3), Weston McKennie (7.7), Tyler Adams (7.5), Malik Tillman (7.1), Antonee Robinson (7.5), Ricardo Pepi (6.6), Folarin Balogun (6.3)
Substitutes: Sebastian Berhalter (6.4), Auston Trusty (6.2), Joseph Scally (6.3)
Australia: Patrick Beach (5.9), Jacob Italiano (6.5), Alessandro Circati (6.9), Harry Souttar (6.0), Cameron Burgess (5.1), Jordan Bos (6.4), Nishan Velupillay (6.3), Paul Okon-Engstler (6.4), Aiden O’Neill (7.2), Matthew Leckie (6.3), Mohamed Touré (6.1)
Substitutes: Jason Geria (6.2), Connor Metcalfe (6.4), Nestory Irankunda (6.2), Cristian Volpato (6.7), Jackson Irvine (6.3)
