Freeman fires co-hosts into the last 32. Here’s the match report.
Match Report
The United States secured a place in the World Cup last 32 with a convincing 2-0 victory over Australia at Seattle Stadium.
Having both won their opening Group D fixtures, the two sides knew that another victory would guarantee qualification. The USA got the job done courtesy of a Cameron Burgess own goal and a header from Alex Freeman.
Australia nearly made the perfect start when Mohamed Toure found space just 40 seconds into the contest, but his effort from a narrow angle on the right side of the box was comfortably gathered by Matt Freese.
The Americans responded strongly and took the lead within 11 minutes. Folarin Balogun burst down the left flank and delivered a dangerous low cross. Ricardo Pepi, who came into the side for the injured Christian Pulisic, was prevented from converting as Burgess inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Mathew Leckie almost replied immediately for Australia, but his clever outside-of-the-boot effort drifted narrowly over the bar.
Weston McKennie later powered a free header directly at Alessandro Circati before the USA doubled their advantage two minutes before half-time.
After Sergino Dest’s blocked effort ballooned into the air, Freeman headed into an unguarded net. Although the assistant initially raised the offside flag, a VAR review confirmed the defender had timed his run correctly, allowing the goal to stand.
Balogun then produced a brilliant individual run that ended with a blocked shot from inside the area. Australia improved shortly after the hour mark as Tony Popovic’s substitutions began to influence the game. Cristian Volpato fired over the bar, while Connor Metcalfe tested Freese with a straight-forward effort.
The USA lost some concentration late on when Jacob Italiano’s cross floated across the penalty area and was worked back into play. However, Circati’s low strike was blocked by a crowd of players, and Australia were unable to stage a recovery.
No Pulisic, no problem
Much of the pre-match discussion centred on whether Pulisic would be fit enough to feature and, if not, who would take his place.
Pepi was handed the opportunity, but the USA rarely looked troubled. Dest led the team with three shots, including one saved just before the interval, while McKennie, Pepi and Balogun each registered two attempts.
In the end, it was a defender who made sure of the victory. Freeman became only the second USA defender to score at a World Cup since 1994, following John Brooks’ goal against Ghana in 2014.
The Americans have now profited from five own goals in World Cup history, including two at this tournament. It is also only the second occasion they have scored multiple first-half goals in consecutive World Cup matches, matching a feat first achieved during the inaugural 1930 edition.
Their tally has already reached six goals, leaving them one short of equalling their best return at a single World Cup — seven goals in both 1930 and 2002. They will look to surpass that mark against Turkiye in their final group-stage match.
The USA return to Los Angeles for that encounter and could already have top spot within reach if Paraguay avoid defeat to Turkiye. Australia, meanwhile, still have qualification work to do ahead of their decisive clash with the South Americans. Both matches are scheduled for June 25.
