World Cup co-hosts United States overcame Australia 2-0 in Seattle on Friday to move into the knockout stages at the 2026 tournament.
Australia defender Cameron Burgess stabbed the ball into his own net after 11 minutes to give the US the lead at the Seattle Stadium.
US defender Alex Freeman added the second just before half time.
After the pause, Australia went on the front foot and pushed the hosts back. But they could not find the breakthrough to set up a grandstand finish for an equaliser.
"Overall I'm very happy with the response to the first half performance," said Australia head coach Tony Popovic.
"It's a very inexperienced team at this level. We don't have the experience of playing in big leagues.
"The players could have easily caved in under the pressure physically and emotionally but we responded really well."
US take top spot
The US head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, was equally complimentary about his players, who claimed victory without injured star striker Christian Pulisic.
"Christian is an important player for us," said the 54-year-old Argentine. "But we are a squad and if we want to win the competition, we need the whole squad."
The US will take top spot in Group D whatever the outcome of their match against last-placed Turkey on 25 June in Los Angeles.
On the same day, Australia take on Paraguay in San Francisco to decide which one claims a place in the next stage.
"It's all about recovery now," said Australia skipper Harry Soutar. "And we have to turn our full focus to the match against Paraguay."
Popovic echoed his skipper. "We've got to be pleased with how we played in the second half and it gives us something to build on.
"We know that we've still got a good chance to get through. Progress is in our hands."
