SEATTLE — The United States is heading to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Playing without star Christian Pulisic, the Americans put together one of their most complete performances of the tournament, defeating Australia 2-0 at Seattle Stadium to advance to the Round of 32.
The U.S. struck early. Just 11 minutes into the match, U.S. forward Folarin Balogun raced down the left flank and fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Australian defender Cameron Burgess attempted to block the shot, but his touch redirected the ball into his own net, giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
The Americans never looked rattled despite the absence of Pulisic, who was ruled out of the match with a calf injury. Playing without their star, the U.S. looked in control from the opening whistle and added an insurance goal before halftime.
Sergiño Dest’s charged-up shot took a deflection and found Alex Freeman in front of the net. Freeman headed the ball home, though the goal was initially ruled offside. After a VAR review, the decision was overturned, doubling the U.S. lead.
Australia responded with far more urgency in the second half, but the Americans’ defense held strong. Goalkeeper Matt Freese and the U.S. back line answered every challenge, preserving the team’s first clean sheet in months.
The victory gave the United States six points through two group stage matches and clinched a spot in the knockout round. It also marked the first back-to-back World Cup victories since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
“Now that we’ve won two games and consistently playing well, I think for us our confidence is above the roof,” Freeman said. “I feel like for us it’s, how can we give more and more and more?”
With the knockout rounds now secured and Pulisic expected to continue progressing in his recovery, the United States can turn its attention toward finishing atop Group D.
