▲ Folarin Balogun (left) and Antonee Robinson of the United States
The United States (FIFA ranking 17th), a co-host of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has defeated Australia (27th) to secure its place in the Round of 32.
The U.S. won 2-0 against Australia in their Group D second group stage match held at Seattle Stadium in Washington, U.S., today (June 20).
After a 4-1 victory over Paraguay (41st) in their opening match on June 13, the U.S. secured two consecutive wins, clinching a ticket to the Round of 32 with one match remaining.
Despite the absence of captain Christian Pulisic, who injured his left calf during training last week, the team advanced to the knockout stage in just two matches.
Group D leader, the U.S., will play its final group match against Turkey on June 26.
On the other hand, Australia, which had defeated Turkey in the first match with a "defense-first, counter-attack" strategy, could not overcome the U.S. and remains in second place in the group with one win and one loss (3 points).
Australia will face Paraguay in its final match on June 26.
The U.S. dominated Australia, led by Folarin Balogun, who scored multiple goals in the match against Paraguay.
In the 11th minute of the first half, Balogun broke through the left flank and sent a pass to the center, which led to an own goal by Australian defender Cameron Burgess, giving the U.S. an early lead.
The U.S. continued to pressure Australia's goal and added a second goal in the 43rd minute.
Following a free kick, Sergino Dest took a shot, and after the ball deflected off a defender, Alexander Freeman headed it into the net from in front of the goal.
Although Freeman was initially ruled offside, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review confirmed that Australian defender Jacob Italiano was positioned behind Freeman when Dest took the shot, and the goal was allowed.
Australia used three substitutions at the start of the second half to try and score a consolation goal, but lacked a clinical finish.
In the end, Australia failed to score, and the U.S. secured a 2-0 victory.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.