USA Secure Knockout Spot with Win Over Australia
Freeman Goal Seals USA Progress in Group D
The United States continued their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Australia, securing a place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered a high-energy performance at Seattle Stadium, overwhelming Tony Popovic’s Socceroos despite the absence of star forward Christian Pulisic, who was sidelined with a calf injury.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Folarin Balogun surged into the box from the left and delivered a low cross that was turned into his own net by Australia’s Cameron Burgess.
The co-hosts doubled their advantage just before halftime when Alex Freeman reacted quickest to a deflected shot from Sergiño Dest, nodding home from close range.
Balogun nearly added a third, but Alessandro Circati produced a crucial block to deny him. The USA held firm in the second half to record their first clean sheet in ten matches, ensuring back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1930.
The victory guarantees the Stars and Stripes a spot in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, with their attacking intensity and defensive resilience marking them out as one of the tournament’s most exciting sides.
