Co-hosts USA edged Australia 2-0 in their Group D clash to reach the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Having defeated Paraguay in their opening game, the USA came up against the Australians in Seattle, who also defeated Turkey in the previous match day.
Even in the absence of talisman Christian Pulisic, it was the Americans who showed more superiority, and they were duly rewarded with a 2-0 win to seal their spot in the next round of the competition.
It took just ten minutes for the hosts to get into the lead. Balogun latched onto Antonee Robinson’s pass on the left, raced past Alessandro Circati into the box, and drilled a dangerous ball across goal, forcing Cameron Burgess to turn it into his own net.
Australia were forced onto the back foot as a confident USA pushed hard to build on their advantage. The Socceroos benefited from the hydration break and a series of stoppages, but they were unable to hold the deficit at one until halftime. A deflected effort from Sergiño Dest looped into the air, and Alex Freeman reacted quickest to head home from close range.
Not much happened in the second-half as Mauricio Pochettino’s men booked their place in the next stage of the competition. It is also the first time they will be winning consecutive World Cup group games since 1930, and they can set a new record if they beat Turkey in their final group game next Thursday.
The USA’s eighth straight win at this venue sees them join co-hosts Mexico in sealing a place in the last 32, while Canada are also on course to book their spot in the knockout rounds.
