World Cup 2026: USA Beat Australia 2-0 to Win Group D

Freeman and an own goal lock down Group D

The United States closed out their World Cup 2026 group stage in style, beating Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle to finish first in Group D. The scoreline did the talking, but the underlying numbers backed it up: the U.S. controlled 62% of possession and produced an expected goals (xG = the quality of chances created) figure of 1.08 against Australia's 0.35.

It was a textbook front-runner's performance. The Americans logged 113 attacks to Australia's 79, created both of the match's big chances (Australia made none), and put eight of their shots inside the penalty area. Australia's keeper made just one save; the U.S. shot accuracy sat at 20% but the early lead let them dictate terms.

With the win, the United States moved to six points and a goal difference of plus four. Both teams come out of this one in good shape — per the standings, the U.S. and Australia have each clinched a place in the Round of 32, with Australia sitting second on four points.

Who Pochettino picked — without Pulisic

From an 11th-minute own goal to a clean sheet

The U.S. got the start it wanted. In the 11th minute, Australia's Cameron Burgess turned the ball into his own net to hand the Americans an early lead. Australia's frustration showed quickly, with Jacob Bos and Alessandro Circati both booked inside the first half-hour as the U.S. kept the pressure on.

The cushion arrived just before the break: Alex Freeman finished things off in the 43rd minute to make it 2-0, a lead the Americans never looked like surrendering. Australia rolled the dice at the interval with a triple change — Jonny Geria, Cameron Metcalfe and Mohamed Toure all introduced — but couldn't break through against a disciplined defense.

The second half settled into a grind. Antonee Robinson picked up a yellow card in the 56th minute, and Mauricio Pochettino rotated fresh legs through the closing stages, including Sebastian Berhalter for Ricardo Pepi and a flurry of late substitutions. The cards kept coming in a chippy finish — Harry Souttar, Folarin Balogun, Joshua Italiano and Chris Richards all booked in the final stretch — but the result was never in doubt. A clean sheet sealed the three points.

The community nailed it: 2-0, on the nose

This one was a feather in the cap for the predictors. The futbol.so community leaned toward a United States win by consensus, and the most-chosen scoreline was exactly United States 2 - Australia 0 — the precise result that played out in Seattle. The official model agreed, tabbing the U.S. as the most likely winner.

Around the world, the picture wasn't unanimous. Colombia's fans leaned U.S., as did Spain's, though they favored a tighter 1-0. Argentina's community was split, with its most-popular pick actually going Australia's way. On the night, though, the consensus call held up cleanly.

Video highlights

Estados Unidos vs Australia (2-0) | Resumen y goles | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

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Alex Freeman Goal | USA 2-0 Australia | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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FULL REACTION to USA vs. Australia 🔍 'USMNT WERE IN CONTROL ALL NIGHT!' - Geoff Cameron | ESPN FC

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HIGHLIGHTS - USA v Australia | Hosts Back In Action! | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Cameron Burgess Own Goal | USA 2-0 Australia | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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POCHETTINO vola ai SEDICESIMI | USA-Australia 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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World Cup: USA vs Australia

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World Cup: USA vs Australia

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World Cup: USA vs Australia

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Two goals, a clean sheet and top spot in Group D — a tidy way for the United States to head into the knockout rounds. Australia, second in the group, also moves on to the Round of 32, so both sides leave Seattle with their tournaments still alive. The next test will be a single-elimination one, where the margin for error disappears.