The United States are through to the last 32 of the World Cup after they eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle. An own goal by Australia’s Cameron Burgess after 11 minutes set the co-hosts on their way and Alex Freeman headed home a second before half-time for Maurico Pochettino’s team, who now need just a point from their final match to ensure they top Group D.
Both sides had won their opening matches, but it was the US who looked the team best equipped to go deep into the tournament, riding the wave of good feeling from their 4-1 thumping of Paraguay to easily dispatch Antipodean opponents who offered little.
The manner in which Tony Popovic’s team went behind was unfortunate. Folarin Balogun, fresh from his two goals in Los Angeles on Saturday, ran the ball to the byline and cut it back into the six-yard box for Burgess, in an attempt to clear, to fire past his helpless goalkeeper Patrick Beach. Beach had been their star in their 2-0 win over Turkey, but he could do nothing about the United States’ second goal.
USA vs Australia latest updates
- GOAL! Freeman bundles in second
- GOAL! Burgess own goal puts US ahead
Match report
22:18 , Oli Gent
The United States are on the brink of topping Group D as they secured their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
The co-hosts produced a dominant display to dispatch Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, with a Cameron Burgess own goal and a strike from right-back Alex Freeman enough to hand them two wins from two in the group stages, a first time that they have ever taken maximum points from their first couple of World Cup matches.
FT: USA 2-0 Australia
22:03 , Oli Gent
There we have it. An easy win for the Americans, and they should sail through as group winners. A richly-deserved victory.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:56 , Oli Gent
90 mins: Six minutes added on.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:54 , Oli Gent
88 mins: A bit of handbags ensues as Souttar and Balogun clash, but it’s quickly diffused. Italiano and Trusty then have a go at each other.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:52 , Oli Gent
85 mins: The clock is winding down and the US are still on top. The Aussies are showing a bit more threat thanks to the introductions of Irankunda and Metcalfe, but the hosts are almost there. One step closer to winning Group D.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:47 , Oli Gent
81 mins: Two defensive changes for the US as Scally and Trusty come on for Dest and Robinson.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:41 , Oli Gent
77 mins: Berhalter is on for the hosts, replacing Pepi.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:39 , Oli Gent
75 mins: Free kick, USA. Ream looks to play out from the back and he gets a shove from a frustrated Irankunda.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:38 , Oli Gent
72 mins: This has been all about the US this evening. They have just been a class above all game, and Pochettino has set the tone.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:34 , Oli Gent
68 mins: The second half cooling break and a chance for both sides to regroup. Feedback to be passed on from Popovic and Pochettino.
What will they be saying to their players?
USA 2-0 Australia
21:29 , Oli Gent
64 mins: Close! Irankunda bursts in behind and exploits the space left by Robinson. He burns away from Ream and looks for Volpato in the middle, but he strikes over the top!
USA 2-0 Australia
21:27 , Oli Gent
62 mins: Volpato is on for Australia, replacing Leckie.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:24 , Oli Gent
60 mins: An hour played and the US are all at it without the ball, all on the same page. Irankunda has tried to add a bit more thrust and guile down the Australian left, running at Freeman, but Ream is across at the near post to avert the danger.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:22 , Oli Gent
57 mins: A first yellow for the US as Robinson is booked for a foul on Leckie.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:21 , Oli Gent
55 mins: Another strong opening 10 minutes for the co-hosts. They’ve retained that tempo from the first half, and continued their high press. Can the Socceroos respond?
USA 2-0 Australia
21:17 , Oli Gent
52 mins: Close! The first real big moment of the game for Balogun in front of goal. He streaks clear, chasing onto a great ball in behind. HIs second touch lets him down, getting it stuck under his feet, and he can’t get his shot off. Circati recovers well to concede the corner.
USA 2-0 Australia
21:12 , Oli Gent
48 mins: Three half-time changes for the Aussies.
Metcalfe, Irankunda and Geria are on for Toure, Velupillay and Burgess.
Kick off!
21:10 , Oli Gent
46 mins: Second half underway.
HT: USA 2-0 Australia
20:53 , Oli Gent
There’s the interval.
What a first half for the hosts. High-pressing, dominant in possession, and two goals to show for it.
How can Australia respond?
USA 2-0 Australia
20:47 , Oli Gent
45+2 mins: Seven added minutes.
Goal! USA 2-0 Australia
20:45 , Oli Gent
45 mins: VAR are checking this one... and Italiano was playing him onside! It’s two!
USA 1-0 Australia
20:44 , Oli Gent
44 mins: No goal! He plays it to the edge of the area, where Dest goes for goal. It deflects into the air and Freeman bundles home... by the flag is up!
USA 1-0 Australia
20:44 , Oli Gent
43 mins: Free kick, USA. Tillman and Dest link up nicely, and they show good feet to keep the move going. Eventually, Dest is chopped down and it gives Robinson a chance to swing one in...
USA 1-0 Australia
20:40 , Oli Gent
40 mins: No real chances for either side, but the US are in full control. Pochettino will be hoping they use their momentum to find a second before half time.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:37 , Oli Gent
36 mins: Balogun shows great ability to bring the ball down after it is wrapped into the striker, as he looks to bring the US up the field. McKennie is really thriving in his free role.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:33 , Oli Gent
33 mins: Circati is booked for raking his studs down Balogun’s Achilles. Free kick, USA.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:29 , Oli Gent
28 mins: Back after the hydration break. I needed one too. This is thirsty work watching this encounter at this tempo.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:25 , Oli Gent
25 mins: Free kick, USA. A tangle in the box sees the hosts awarded a free kick. Chance missed for the Socceroos.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:23 , Oli Gent
23 mins: Leckie gets free down the right and puts the ball into a great area at the near post, but Freeman gets across to knock it behind. Great defending. Corner.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:20 , Oli Gent
21 mins: A really front-footed start from the hosts. Plenty of high-octane pressing, risk-taking in possession, and harnessing the crowd’s energy into their own play.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:17 , Oli Gent
18 mins: A first booking of the game as Bos is cautioned for a blatant block-off on McKennie.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:16 , Oli Gent
16 mins: The US are claiming a handball from the corner as McKennie nods towards goal and it hits Bos, but replays show it comes off his chest. No penalty here.
USA 1-0 Australia
20:13 , Oli Gent
13 mins: A good response from Australia as it’s worked nicely into Leckie on the edge of the area. He stabs at goal, but it’s just wide!
Goal! USA 1-0 Australia
20:12 , Oli Gent
11 mins: It’s there, and the US are ahead! It’s an own goal off Cameron Burgess, and Lumen Field erupts! Great play down the left from Balogun, cutting it back, and Burgess is unfortunate to slice into his own net.
USA 0-0 Australia
20:10 , Oli Gent
8 mins: It’s been all US in the opening exchanges. McKennie causing all sorts of problems with his darts into the box, and Beach has to beat the latest attempt on goal clear.
USA 0-0 Australia
20:06 , Oli Gent
5 mins: Tactical observations. It looks as though Pepi is alongside Balogun up top, with McKennie drifting wide on the left in more of a 4-4-2 shape in possession.
USA 0-0 Australia
20:02 , Oli Gent
2 mins: A slight moment of sloppiness at the back from the US as Freeman plays Richards into trouble and Toure has a snap-shot, but Reese holds well.
Kick off!
20:00 , Oli Gent
1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning
19:55 , Oli Gent
The players are out, and it’s time for the anthems.
Ten minutes to kick off
19:50 , Oli Gent
Who will win this one?
Fan reaction
19:45 , Oli Gent
Great to not be facing the LeBron James of Sahker™️ from the start.
— Shane Henry (@Hirald0) June 19, 2026
On the other hand… Let’s just say I think I’d be more comfortable with Irankunda not starting if it was Mabil replacing him. Velupillay is such a gamble on Popovic’s part in plain quality terms. #USAAUS
Later tonight...
19:37 , Oli Gent
Scotland face Morocco in a huge matchday-two contest later this evening in Foxborough, Massachussetts.
Can they do it?
Everything you need to know... read here!
Half an hour to kick off
19:30 , Oli Gent
Here are the two teams once more for those that missed them:
USA XI: Reese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pepi; Balogun
Australia XI: Beach; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; Leckie, O’Neill, Okon-Engstler, Velupillay; Toure
Fan reaction
19:23 , Oli Gent
Don’t like that at all. Would rather have had a traditional winger starting.
— benny (@bennyTOHO) June 19, 2026
Seattle takeover
19:19 , Oli Gent
USA fans in Seattle for their Game against Australia 🇦🇺 #USAAUS pic.twitter.com/s7Ynes8bJ8
— The Final Whistle (@Rufus_45) June 19, 2026
Socceroos bench star
19:05 , Oli Gent
A real shock that Nestory Irankunda, who starred against Turkey last time out, is on the bench.
Perhaps he’s being saved or he might have picked up a knock.
It will be interesting to hear what Popovic has to say about that one.
Mathew Leckie, formerly of Borussia Monchengladbach and Frankfurt, comes in in his place.
Some surprises!
19:00 , Oli Gent
For the US, it is perhaps a surprise that Ricardo Pepi, a long-term Fulham transfer target, comes in to replace Pulisic.
Does that mean a front two for the USMNT, with Balogun and Pepi up top together, or does one - presumably Pepi - play wide left?
Australia lineup
18:55 , Oli Gent
Australia XI: Beach; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; Leckie, O’Neill, Okon-Engstler, Velupillay; Toure
Subs: Ryan, Degenek, Geria, Metcalfe, Hrustic, Mabil, Izzo, Devlin, Trewin, Irankunda, Behich, Volpato, Irvine, Herrington, Yengi
USA lineup
18:50 , Oli Gent
USA XI: Reese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Pepi; Balogun
Subs: Turner, Brady, Trusty, Robinson, McKenzie, Scally, Aaronson, Berhalter, Roldan, Arfsten, Pepi, Wright, Weah, Zendejas
He's out!
18:37 , Oli Gent
Nope, the Italian media were wrong!
Pulisic is out this evening, according to The Athletic, who report that the winger has not recovered in time to play.
Pulisic fit?
18:30 , Oli Gent
Reports coming out of Italy claim that AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic has recovered from his calf injury and could feature this evening...
A big boost for the USMNT if true...
Head to head
18:07 , Oli Gent
Since losing the first-ever meeting between the two nations in June 1992, USA are now unbeaten in three against Australia, winning the last two - including the most recent clash in October 2025.
USA wins: 2
Australia wins: 1
Draws: 1
Standard Sport prediction
18:00 , Oli Gent
USA will be riding a wave of momentum following their 4-1 win in the opening group game. However, having to wait six days for the next game may prove a gift or a curse.
Australia, by beating Turkey, have already exceeded pre-tournament expectations, so can go into this game under far less pressure as they’ll back themselves against Paraguay regardless.
It’s a difficult one to call, but we think home advantage will get USA over the line in a game that will be tight until the closing stages.
USA to win, 3-1.
Australia team news
17:52 , Oli Gent
Australia manager Tony Popovic - formerly of Crystal Palace - will be tempted to stick with the same team that beat Turkey, but hoping his side do not come under the same amount of pressure.
This would mean keeping faith in Beach instead of recalling the more experienced Mat Ryan in between the posts.
Australia squad
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan, Paul Izzo, Patrick Beach
Defenders: Jordan Bos, Aziz Behich, Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati, Lucas Herrington, Cameron Burgess, Kai Trewin, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Jacob Italiano
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Aiden O'Neill, Paul Okon Jr, Cameron Devlin
Forwards: Connor Metcalfe, Mathew Leckie, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda, Awer Mabil, Ajdin Hrustic, Mohamed Toure, Tete Yengi
USA team news
17:45 , Oli Gent
Christian Pulisic remains a doubt for the United States against Australia tonight.
The only negative was Pulisic having to be withdrawn at half-time with a calf strain and has been training separately ahead of the Group D showdown, leaving Mauricio Pochettino weighing up whether to risk the forward.
“Yes, I think as you know he was training in an individual way the whole week, but like always I think tonight or the day before the game we have a meeting with our medical area and we will assess the whole group, the players and tomorrow we will communicate this and see,” the USMNT boss said.
“All the things that can agree tonight. He’s evolving, he’s much better from Friday. We’ll see.
“I think at the moment we’ll see if he’s not available for tomorrow, or will be available for the next game.
“I think he’s doing a massive effort trying to be ready. I think for every single player that loves that country.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to enjoy and to help the team to perform and to win games.
“When this type of thing happens it’s painful but I think Christian is strong and with a great mentality and is doing a fantastic effort to try to be ready as soon as possible.”
USA squad
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright, Alejandro Zendejas
Latest odds
17:37 , Oli Gent
Folarin Balogun scored twice against Paraguay in their group opener, becoming only the second USA player to score a brace at a FIFA World Cup. 2️⃣
— Squawka Bet (@SquawkaBet) June 19, 2026
He's 8/1 with @teameasybet to do the same tonight.
18+ GambleAware #Ad pic.twitter.com/OKogRluXVX
How to watch
17:37 , Oli Gent
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One with coverage starting at 7.30pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer or the BBC website.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent
... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the USA’s second World Cup 2026 games, as they face Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Can Mauricio Pochettino’s co-hosts make it two wins from two?
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm BST.
