USA cruise into the round of 32 with dominant win over Australia
Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman played from start to finish as the USA put in a commanding first-half display to beat Australia 2-0 at Seattle Stadium, with an own goal from Cameron Burgess and a header from Alex Freeman securing a second successive Group D victory and an early passage to the round of 32.
USA 2-0 Australia
Goals: 1-0 Burgess o.g. 11', 2-0 Freeman 43'
The stakes were high at Seattle Stadium as the USA and Australia, both winners in their opening Group D fixtures, met knowing that victory would guarantee a place in the round of 32.
Christian Pulisic was ruled out with a calf injury, with Ricardo Pepi coming in up front. Australia, meanwhile, made two changes from their opening win over Türkiye, leaving both goalscorers — Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe — on the bench, with Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay starting in their place. German referee Felix Zwayer took charge of the match.
US run riot in the opening 45
Australia had the first shot of the game when Mohamed Touré pounced on a loose pass and forced a save from Matt Freese, but the hosts quickly asserted themselves. In the 11th minute, Antonee Robinson sent Folarin Balogun in behind down the left. Balogun reached the byline and cut the ball back low into the box, where Cameron Burgess turned it into his own net under pressure.
The US continued to dominate proceedings and finally added a second just before the break. Robinson played a free-kick from the right flank to the edge of the box, where Sergiño Dest had space to shoot.
His effort was deflected up into the air by Harry Souttar, and Alex Freeman reacted quickest to head home from close range. The flag was initially raised for offside, but VAR confirmed the goal stood, making it 2-0.
A more even second half
Balogun had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, but he hesitated when through on goal, allowing Alessandro Circati to recover.
Australia were improved after the break and substitute Metcalfe tested Freese from the edge of the box in the 65th minute, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Despite committing more men forward looking for a way back in the game, Australia really threatened, and the USA saw out the game comfortably to claim a second successive victory.
