US secure spot in knockout round with 2-0 win over Australia

SEATTLE: The United States men’s national team secured a spot in ‌the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Australia at Seattle on Friday.
Playing without injured star Christian Pulisic, who sat out due to a calf injury, the US took advantage of ​a second own goal in as many games to remain unbeaten in this World Cup.
The victory gave the Americans  six points in Group D, assuring the US of advancing no matter what happens in their final group game. If Turkiye ties or loses to Paraguay later on Friday, the US will clinch the top spot in the group.

The US will face Turkiye on Thursday.
Folarin Balogun continued his torrid start to the World Cup with an aggressive attack up the left wing in the 11th minute, beating the Australian ‌defense. His pass into ‌the six-yard box was deflected by Swansea City defender ​Cameron Burgess ‌into ⁠the ​net for ⁠an own goal.

While Burgess was hit with the own goal, Ricardo Pepi was positioned for an easy goal had the ball not been deflected.
Thirty-two minutes later, defender Alex Freeman provided the second goal off a header by beating Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach to a loose ball off a free kick. Initially ruled offsides, the call was overturned following a lengthy video review.
Freeman’s third international goal came just a few minutes after he and Australian midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler were ⁠tended to after colliding heads.

After laying on the turf for ‌several minutes, both players ultimately stayed in the game.
But it ‌was Balogun’s run that provided the breakthrough for a ​US attack that continually put pressure on ‌the Australian defense in a spirited start to the first half. While the Aussies got ‌the first shot on target in the opening minute of