U.S. secures knockout spot with victory over Australia
The United States booked their place in the Round of 32 with a controlled win over Australia — sealed before half-time and managed comfortably thereafter, all without the injured Christian Pulisic.
The hosts got the break they needed on 11 minutes when Cameron Burgess turned into his own net under pressure. Alexander Freeman doubled the lead on 44, and from there the USMNT were rarely troubled.
Australia pushed but lacked the cutting edge to test a well-organised American defence. For the hosts, a second win and qualification secured; for the Socceroos, a mountain still to climb.
Photo: "Weston McKennie" by Bryan Berlin / CC BY-SA 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons (source)
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