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.
Australia failed properly to clear a free-kick and the ball fell to Sergino Dest, whose attempt from the edge of the box ballooned up in the air for Freeman to head home after Beach had committed to the initial shot.
Should Turkey fail to beat Paraguay in the early hours of Saturday, the co-hosts will top the group regardless of their result in their final match, while Australia require a point against Paraguay to keep their fate in their own hands.
Pochettino told BBC One: “I think it was a fantastic game again, very good first half. I think we dominated the game against a very tough team.
“I was saying yesterday Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina. Our fans, I’m so happy for them.”
Australia coach Tony Popovic added: “I don’t know if it was the occasion but we looked sluggish and heavy-legged. They were quicker and more powerful.
“They won every duel and every second ball. When they do that it makes it difficult to gain any momentum.”
PA
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