USA 2 vs 0 Australia summary: score, goals, updates and highlights | World Cup 2026

It was a one of a kind day in Seattle. They are used to getting rowdy. They are used to making noise but the 12s at Seattle Stadium made this spectacle even more special. 

Balogun had a chance for his third goal of the tournament on a break away. He was in behind the defense and with his pace you would have bet on him but a brilliant bit of defending from Alessandro Circati kept the third goal off the board. 

There was no Chrisitan Pulisic who was ruled out hours before kick off. The question was who would step up in his absence? It was a collective effort but Serginho Dest had a fantastic day on the right side with Balogun threatening on the other side. Dest's shot was deflected up in the air and nodded home by Alex Freeman who was originally ruled offside but after a VAR review the goal was allowed and the US doubled their advantage. 

The United States are on to the round of 32, and have pole position in Group D after their 2-0 win over Australia. Two first half goals made the difference for Mauricio Pochetinno's team and they are making believers out of the entire nation. 

It was an own goal out of the gate for the second straight game as the US benefited from a Cameron Burgess touch into his own net. Folarin Balogun broke the defense open on the left side and played a dangerous ball into the area. 

IT'S ALL OVER HERE FROM SEATTLE!!!

THE US WIN THEIR FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE WORLD CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1930!! THEY ARE NOW IN THE ROUND OF 32 WITH THE WIN AND ARE IN POLE POSITION TO WIN THE GROUP,. 

Wright got in behind the back line but took a few too many touches and allowed the defense to get back into position The flag was up anyway but Wright was itching to get a shot off after scoring a brace in the last game between these two teams. 

Reyna and Wright in for Balogun and McKinnie and they get a standing ovation from this Seattle crowd as they head to the bench. 

The ref is back to his feet looking to finish off the game. 

The referee is on the pitch needing a bit of a stretch after some late game cramps come sneaking in. 

Tillman and Balogun leading the counter and Tillman played it across the area but just too far out infront of Balogun. 

Four more minutes added to the 90.

Corner kick for the US, and Tillman takes it short looking to keep possession but that didn't work out too well. 

Souttar and Balogun booked after a coming together between the two in an areal battle. 

Getting a bit desperate for the Aussies right now. Long balls into the area, shots from distance. Australia might have missed out on their chance or chances to get back into this game. 

Soutter had a sitter in front of the mouth of goal but he whiffed on the ball sent in from the end line and the best chance of the day goes begging for Australia. 

Metcalf sent in a dangerous ball which was just about cleared but Irankunda was there and tried to turn on the ball before going down in the area. Richards was in the area but play on says the ref. 

Metcalf with a great ball across the area from the near side and no one was waiting on the back post to get on the end of that delivery. 

Scally and Trusty off for Dest and Robinson. Some fresh legs coming in for Poch in the final minutes. 

Ball into the mix was nodded away and the half volley from Bos was sent sailing over the bar. 

Corner kick after the deflected cross from Balogun. 

Robinson sends Volpato to the ground, albeit a little cheaply from the Aussie. He's on a yellow card so Volpato may have just trying to force the hand of the ref. 

Quick VAR review on a potential hand ball on Berhalter but that was deemed as nothing after a few seconds. 

Freeman nods it out of danger on the back post and it was sent back in by Volpato but Richards dealt with the cross and cleared it. 

Things just getting a bit feisty here in the final quarter of an hour. 

Berhalter in for Pepi who was the Pulisic replacement at the start of the game. 

Really good defending by the US. Time after time the Aussies tried to build something but the Americans are flying around with tackle after tackle. 

We are back in play for the final stretch of this match. 

Living On a Prayer blasting on the speakers here at Seattle Stadium and that wouldn't be a bad song for the US to adopt for the rest of the tournament. Electric atmosphere here from the Pacific Northwest. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE IN SEATTLE!!!

The US have to go back to doing what they were doing in the first half. Possess and make the Aussies chase until something opens up in the attacking third. 

It was a poor clearance from Richards in the back and it led to a great chance for the Aussies. 

Metcalf with a shot from the top of the area and that needed a save from Freese on the low driven shot. 

The break from Australia came after a disappointing touch from Balogun who could have been in on goal if not for the poor control That's a couple chances he has had, but none of them materialized. 

Irankunda on the break and he lays it off for Volpato who hits it one the one time and skies it over the cross bar. Good stuff from the subs who were just introduced. That might just wake the US up with a half hour to go. 

Volpato in the game after Leckie left the pitch with a bit of knock. 

VAR comes in and awards a goal kick after an Irankunda header went wide and was called a corner kick. That's the first time I've seen that in the World Cup which doesn't mean it hasn't happened yet. But one of the new rules on display here from Seattle. 

The ball through the middle from Balogun was perfect and with his pace he should have done better but it was a heroic piece of last gasp defending from Circati. 

Robinson carded for a late challenge on Italiano. 

Marshawn Lynch in the luxury suites here in Seattle and he got a big cheer from this Seahawks based crowd. 

Ball sent in by Tillman and a whistle goes after another clash of heads, this one more minor than the one in the first half. 

Nothing happens with the ensuing corner but they get another and take it short. That cross was blocked off for another corner. 

He's so speedy Balogun. Would have thought that would have been an easy finish for the Monaco man. Excellent recovery defending from the Aussie defender. 

Balogun was in behind the defense after a great ball from McKinnie and Ciacati somehow chased him down and blocked that shot from the US NO. 9.

Before the World Cup started he said he wanted his team to learn how to play a complete 90 minutes. So far so good, let's see if they can keep this control throughout the second half. 

The US will want to add to this lead and give the fans the spectacle they deserve but they don't have to force anything. Right now they are knocking it around the back line making the Aussies chase. 

The two goal scorers from the first game are in for Australia and let's see if that makes them a little more attacking in this second 45. 

A couple of subs for the Aussies. It's Geria, Metcalf and Irankunda in for Burgess, Veupillay and Toure. 

WE ARE BACK UNDERWAY FROM SEATTLE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!!

The players are coming out of the tunnel and let's see what kind of adjustments the Aussies make out of halftime. 

Fans, commentators and players from around the world are marveling at the impressive atmosphere here from Seattle. 

Dest took the shot on from the top of the area, and Freeman's goal was flagged for offside but upon review he was a half step in front of the last defender. 

It really was a perfect half for the US. They controlled the game, possession and the chances in the first half. They got their first goal off another own goal following a speedy run from Balogun on the left side. It was Burgess who got the last touch and Seattle went wild in the 11th minute. 

WE ARE AT THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM SEATTLE WITH THE US UP 2-0!!!

Freeman pushes all the way up into the area and drops it back to Dest who let it loose with a low driven shot that was stopped by Beach. 

Free kick for the US after Bos got the ball with his arm. Nothing happening for Australia in the final minutes first half. 

Seven minutes of stoppage time here in this first half. Australia need to get something going before the half just to have something to hang their hats on at the break. 

OFFSIDE!!!

Set piece from the training ground as Robinson found Dest at the top of the area and his shot was deflected up and nodded home from Freeman!

Dest with a bit of magic on the right side and that will result in a free kick from outside the area. 

We must be fair here. The US have the goal advantage, and they have had the majority of the possession but they haven't had much joy creating chances since the goal. 

Both players back on the pitch after a scary looking collision. 

Freeman and Okon-Engstler clash in mid air as both were going after the ball on the near touchline. Both getting some extra attention after a clash of heads. 

The US not allowing any space or time for the Aussies to pass the ball out of the back. That could be trouble for the Socceroos. 

Australia just struggling to deal with the pace of the US wingers and that is nullifying the block that the Aussies have implemented. 

The US just looks more eager to get to those 50/50 balls in the middle of the park. 

Ball sent in looking for Richards but a whistle goes for a foul on the US. 

Another yellow card shown, this time for Circati, who tripped up Tillman and another dangerous free kick from the left side of the midfield. 

Tillman sent the corner in and Richards was the closest to it but that ball in was just a little too high. 

Italiano tried to clear the ball that should have been easy but he made a meal of it and concedes a corner. 

The chants of USA ring around the stadium here in Seattle. 

Robinson pushing up the left touchline and his cross goes disappointingly over the crossbar and out for a goal kick. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY AFTER THE SHORT BREAK. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK HERE FROM SEATTLE!!!

This time the whistle blows for a foul on Australia before that ball could enter the box. 

Corner swung in from Australia and they were looking for their 6'6" Souttar on the back post. Another corner to come. 

Leckie with a ball into the middle from the right side and it was Richards who needed to get a touch to concede a corner. 

Adams in the middle of the park and he played it over the top for Balogun who should have done better taking that ball down with the keeper closing in. 

Australia offering nothing in attack lately. The US are possessing, they are creating and they are dominating 20 minutes in. 

Dest gave it away but got it back with some good pressure and laid it off to McKinnie who had it swiped away from his feet in the area. 

Wasn't the best of balls but McKinnie stuck a leg out and got a piece of that with his back to goal but that went sailing high of the target. 

McKinnie skips around Bos and the Aussie defender dragged him down and for that he will be shown a yellow card. Free kick from this near touchline right in front of the US bench. 

Just look at the pace from Balogun. He speeds past the defender and had all the time in the world to put in a dangerous ball. That could be a problem for Australia all day long. 

Corner kick for the US, and Tillman swings it in right on to the head of McKinnie who nodded it frame but it was blocked off the line by Bos. Another great chance from the US and Australia look a little rattled after the early goal. 

Lay off from Velupillay for Leckie at the top of the area and he tried it with the outside of the foot, but it sailed it well wide of the target. 

It was Balogun speeding past Italiano on the left touchline and he had time to look up and put a tricky ball into the 6 yard box. Burgess will be seeing that final touch in his sleep tonight. 

That's how you have to break down a team playing with such a low block. It was a lovely bit of build up and the US will have to try and replicate more of that. 

1-2 from Dest and McKinnie on the near side and it was Dest who was sent in from McKinnie on the end line. His shot was headed on target but Burgess made himself big and blocked it with the body. 

It was a clumsy challenge in the middle of the park from Leckie and he's lucky to get away from the scene of the crime without being shown a booking. 

McKinnie sends it into the area from the right side and that took a dangerous bounce but a whistle for a foul on the US bails out the Aussies. 

It's a very tight backline from Australia and they have all of their guys behind the ball when the US have it in the midfield. They aren't going to give anything easy up in this game. 

Robinson pushes up for the first time today, and he thought he earned himself a corner but a goal kick was awarded by the ref. 

Who will step up and be the creator with Pulisic on the bench? They need some one to play that role. Look for Pepi, look for McKinnie to have a little bit of added responsiblity. 

Toure with a run to the right side of the box after a giveaway from the US and he takes it on the first touch but it was an easy save for Freese on the front post. 

Incredible atmosphere from Seattle and the commentators are saying it's one of the best they have ever seen. 

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM SEATTLE!!! 

Huge matchup in Group D with the winner taking the top spot and maybe just maybe winning the group depending on what happens in the Turkiye-Paraguay match later tonight. 

The players are out on the pitch and Australia's anthem rings around the stadium here in Seattle. 

The 12s are ready

They are called the 12s for the Seahawks, but it just so happens that it works out perfectly for the US. The XI on the pitch will need a little extra boost from the extra 80,000 or so around the pitch. Many of them will be Aussies, but the red white and blue fans will be loud and proud here from Seattle today. 

Socceroos 5-4-1 

This is a defensive Australia side. Stu Holden said they play a lot like Paraguay who was also a good defensive side but the US put 4 on them. Popovic is going with Beach in goal, Bos, Burgess, Souttar, Circati and Italiano in the back. Velupillay, Okon-Engstler, O'Neill and Leckie in behind Toure up top. Metcalf and Irankunda the two goal scorers against Turkiye start this match on the bench. 

Jameis is bringing the noise

If there's a party to be had, you want Jameis Winston at the party. The NFL QB has been one of the faces of this World Cup and he was getting the crowd amped for this massive match up in Seattle. 

USMNT's 4-2-3-1

Poch is going with Freese in goal, Freeman, Richards, Ream and Robinson in the back. Tillman and Adams are the holding midfielders with Dest, McKinnie and Pepi on the left side right behind Balgun as the No. 9. 

Mexico first to win group 

We are just over a week into the tournament but we already have a team that have qualified for the next round and clinched the top spot in the group. That team would be Mexico who beat South Korea on Thursday night and secured themselves passage into the round of 32. The US and Australia both have a chance to do the same with a win today, 

How the hosts are fairing 

So far so good for the host nations. Mexico just won their second straight game to start their World Cup campaign. Defensively they are playing nearly perfect and they have the right amount of attacking flair to make their fans believe. The US can continue their dream start to the World Cup today with a win over Australia that would clinch them the group. Meanwhile Canada had a historic day putting 6 past Qatar as they took the lead in Group B. The winner of that group will come down to who wins the Canada Switzerland match next week. 

Who are the favroites after 9 days

Like the Rankings, the oddsmakers favorites have seen some changes at the top and in the middle. The USMNT came into this tournament as 60/1 long shots according to Bet365. They are still long shots, but that has dropped to 41/1 long shots after their impressive win over Paraguay. Australia are 81/1 long shots but who knows how that could change if they pull off a win here from Seattle. France take the top spot paying 9/2 while Spain dropped to 7/1 odds after their draw with Cape Verde. England are also 7/1 to win it all while Argentina are 9/1 to repeat. 

FIFA World Ranking

The ever-changing FIFA Rankings have seen some tweaks and some changes over the last 8 days. One thing remains the same, and that is that Argentina continue to top the table after their 3-0 win to start their World Cup campaign. France have jumped Spain and England remain fourth. Portugal have dropped two spots, as Brazil and Morocco sit in 5th and 6th while the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium round out the top 10. Mexico are 11th after their win over Korea last night and the US are sitting in 15th place. The Aussies aren’t too far behind. They are currently 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings and can boost their position with a win over the USMNT today. 

Australia XI

The Socceroos are out on the pitch and warming up. Coach Popovic has his XI for this massive match up and it looks a little something like this. 

World Cup 2026

USMNT confirmed lineup vs Australia: Mauricio Pochettino’s XI for crucial Group D match

Pulisic update

There was a question of would he or won't he. This is the biggest game of the group stage, and if it wasn't something that the US are worried could get worse he would be out there. Poch and his staff are going to proceed with plenty of caution. Our Williams Gittens has more. 

World Cup 2026

USMNT vs Australia: strengths, weaknesses and the Socceroos threat in World Cup 2026

USMNT vs Australia: strengths, weaknesses and the Socceroos threat in World Cup 2026

Maybe you weren't watching that game back in October. Perhaps you didn’t stay up to watch the Aussies beat Türkiye last week. You may not know everything thing there is to know about this Australia team, but lucky for us, Roddy Cons does. 

USMNT XI

Just one change in the XI from the game against Paraguay. It's the injured Pulisic out for Ricardo Pepi. While Captain America is out, Pepi is an incredible second option to replaced the AC Milan winger Here is the XI for Poch.

Freese

Dest

Richards

Adams

Robinson

McKinnie

Pepi

Ream

Freeman

Tillman

Balogun

Pulisic out against Australia

Christian Pulisic was pulled off at the halftime break of the Paraguay match and many thought it might have just been a precautionary move by Poch with a 3-0 lead coming out of the break. It turns out that he did take a knock to the calf which has been monitored throughout the week. He trained with the team over the last few days but has officially been ruled out of this match against Australia. It will be Ricard Pepi replacing him in the XI. 

Last game: USA

The Paraguay couldn't have gone much better if they gave coach Pochettion a pen and paper and asked him to write out the script. The USMNT put the first goal of their World Cup campaign on the board seven minutes into the match but it wasn’t a US player that got the first goal. It was Christian Pulisic creating on the left side but Bobadilla got the last touch and poked it into his own goal. Folarin Balogun had a first half brace with a couple of really good goals, and it was Gio Reyna finishing with the outside of the foot to put the cherry on top of a delicious performance from the USMNT.

We are live from the Pacific Northwest 

Hello everyone and welcome to Seattle, Washington where the USMNT have a chance to win the group just two match days in to this tournament, but so do the Socceroos who came up with what many consider a shock defeat of Türkiye. Now the two sides at the top of the group will go head to head for a chance to win the group. The fans, the players and the nation came out of the first game of the World Cup in full belief of this side, but a loss to Australia could cost them more than the top spot in the group, it was erase the belief that has been growing since the Paraguay game.