USA goals: Burgess own goal (11), Freeman (43)
The USA bandwagon is gathering impressive pace after the co-hosts comfortably defeated Australia to move into the Round of 32 with a game to spare. They are guaranteed a place as one of the best third-placed teams with this victory.
had not won back-to-back games at a World Cup since the start of the inaugural edition in 1930. Mauricio Pochettino’s team have now put that right – and did so in highly exciting, high-energy fashion.
What was all the more impressive about the result was that it came without star player Christian Pulisic, who was ruled out with a calf injury.
They were as bright as the Seattle sunshine as they pressed high up the pitch and overwhelmed Tony Popovic’s Socceroos. USA took the lead for the second game running through an own goal. Folarin Balogun was the creator with an electric surge into the box from the left side and his low cross was turned into his own net by Cameron Burgess.
The Stars and Stripes got their second goal just before the interval when a deflection sent Sergino Dest’s shot from the edge of the box looping towards goal. As the ball dropped in the six-yard box, Alex Freeman, , got his head there ahead of goalkeeper Patrick Beach to nod in.
Balogun might have added a third goal but Alessandro Circati made a vital block. Yet for the irrepressible co-hosts, those two first-half goals were more than enough as they secured a first clean sheet in ten matches.
USA are the first team to have benefited from an own goal in consecutive World Cup games.
"I think it was a fantastic game, a very good first half. I think we dominated the game. When the draw [was made] in December, I thought it would be a tough game. I am so happy for the fans. It was impossible for Christian [Pulisic] to play but if we want to win the competition, we need the whole team." Mauricio Pochettino, USA coach, speaking to FOX Sports
“I don’t know if it was the occasion but we looked sluggish, heavy-legged. They were quicker, they were more powerful, they won every duel, every second ball and when you do that, it makes it very difficult to gain any momentum and then we conceded two soft goals. I thought the reaction second half was outstanding. [In the face of] this noise here [against] the host nation I think the players showed how good they are in the second half.” Tony Popovic, Australia coach
"We wanted to start fast like we did against Paraguay and it made the game so much easier. I'm so happy for Alex Freeman – he's so humble and down to earth – to get his first World Cup goal. To be able to repay the fans on the biggest stage means the world to me. We're going to rest and recover. We still want to win the next game against Türkiye. The most important thing is that we stay down to earth, stay humble, and I'm sure we can do good things." Folarin Balogun, USA forward
Sources: FIFA Official
