USA books Knockout Round place with win over Australia

The USA delivered in Seattle, earning a 2-0 victory against Australia*.*

SEATTLE – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued as the United States earned a 2-0 victory against Australia in Group D on Friday at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington, USA.

The result keeps the USA atop Group D and secures a berth to the Round of 32 for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. The side became the first U.S. representatives to win consecutive matches in the FIFA World Cup since the 1930 team did so at the inaugural edition.

The scoring opened in the 11’ when a cross from Folarin Balogun bounced off Australian defender Cameron Burgess for an own goal.

USA extended its lead in the 43’ as Alex Freeman headed home a deflected shot from Sergiño Dest. The goal was initially called offside but overturned after a VAR review.

The Stars and Stripes have now won their last eight matches in the city of Seattle.

United States will conclude group play on Thursday, June 25, 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local) against Türkiye at Los Angeles Stadium.

USA vs Australia Post-Match Facts

• The United States won consecutive FIFA World Cup matches for just the second time in its history, having previously achieved the feat in its first two matches of the inaugural tournament in 1930.
• The United States became the first team in FIFA World Cup history to benefit from an own goal in consecutive matches.
• The United States have now benefited from five own goals in FIFA World Cup history, including two at the 2026 edition, the second-highest total by any nation behind France (6). Australia, meanwhile, conceded their third own goal in the competition, with only Mexico having suffered more (4). Bulgaria, Morocco, and Switzerland have also conceded three.
• The United States opened the scoring in consecutive FIFA World Cup matches for the first time since the opening two matches of their 2002 campaign against Portugal and Korea Republic.
• Alex Freeman became just the second defender to score for the United States at a FIFA World Cup since 1994, joining John Brooks, who scored against Ghana in 2014.
• The United States have scored six goals through their first two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Only twice before have they scored more goals in a single edition of the tournament, with seven in both 1930 and 2002.
• The United States scored their first headed goal at a FIFA World Cup since John Brooks’ match-winning header against Ghana in 2014.
• Concacaf nations have scored 17 goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the confederation’s highest-ever total in a single edition of the tournament, surpassing the 16 goals scored in both 2002 and 2014. The total includes seven goals by Canada, six by the United States, three by Mexico, and one by Curaçao.
• Chris Richards became the seventh player to complete 80 or more passes in each of his first two FIFA World Cup appearances among players making their debut in 1966 or later. He joins Spain’s Isco, Aymeric Laporte, and Rodri; Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger and Niklas Süle; and Argentina’s Fernando Redondo.