USA Qualified! Co-Hosts Weather Aussie Storm In Seattle To Clinch Knockout Spot
USA Vs Australia Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: In a match of two distinct halves, the USMNT secured a 2-0 win over Australia at the Seattle Stadium on Friday (June 19). Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated the first period. They forced an own goal from Cameron Burgess in the 10th minute, then Alex Freeman doubled the lead with a header just before half-time. The second half saw a completely different narrative, with the Socceroos turning up the pressure. This forced the hosts into a frantic, desperate defensive play to preserve their clean sheet, which they eventually achieved. With two wins in two (6 points), the co-hosts have qualified for the round of 32. They will also win Group D if Turkiye fail to beat Paraguay later today. Australia, meanwhile, are on three points, and their fate hinges on the final matchday, where they will face Paraguay on June 25. The USA will conclude their group engagement with a clash with Türkiye. Relive the USA vs AUS football match here.
Australia fans march together to the stadium for the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
A group of United States fans arrive outside the stadium before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Australian fans wait for the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston, left, poses for a selfie with a United States fan outside Seattle Stadium before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Australia head coach Tony Popovic walks on the field before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Australian players come out for the warm up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
United States players come out for the warm up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Paris Hilton stands on the pitch before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
US players warm up ahead of their World Cup Group D soccer match against Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Fans at the stadium watch others outside arriving for the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
A US fan waits for the start of the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
The United States and Australia flags are displayed before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Helicopters fly over the stadium before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Australia players pose for a group photo before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
United States players pose for a group photo before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
US fans during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Australia's Alessandro Circati, right, and United States' Ricardo Pepi challenge for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Australia's Aiden O'Neill, left, and United States' Weston McKennie fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Singer Ciara, second from right, poses with United States' Tim Ream (13), Australia's Harry Souttar (19), referee Felix Zwayer, center of Germany, and his assistants before the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
United States' Weston McKennie (8) sends a cross by Australia's Cameron Burgess (21) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Australia's Mathew Leckie (7) receives the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Australia's Mathew Leckie (7) battles for head ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Australia's Cameron Burgess (21) scores an own goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
US players celebrate the opening goal of their team during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
United States' Sergino Dest (2) falls between Australia's Jordan Bos (5) and Aiden O'Neill (13) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino next to Australia's Nishan Velupillay (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) saves in front of United States' Folarin Balogun (20) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Australia's Cameron Burgess (21) battles for the ball with United States' Weston McKennie (8) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Australia head coach Tony Popovic, center, speaks to his players during a hydration break during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Australia's Alessandro Circati (3) receives a yellow card during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Former Seattle Seahawks and NFL player Marshawn Lynch takes pictures during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Germany's referee Felix Zwayer during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
United States' Alex Freeman (16) and Australia's Paul Okon-Engstler (24) react after a collision during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
United States' Christian Pulisic (10), back left, watches the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
United States' Alex Freeman (16) scores his side's second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
United States' Alex Freeman, center, scores his side's second goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Australia's Aiden O'Neill, left, and United States' Antonee Robinson fall to the ground during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
United States goalkeeper Matt Freese (24) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Australia's Mathew Leckie (7) walks off the pitch during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Fans during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
The video screen announces a goal VAR check during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
United States fans hold signs on the stand during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
People at a fan festival in Kansas City, Mo., watch a televised World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Australia's Nestory Irankunda fights for the ball with United States' Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, right, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Referee Felix Zwayer, of Germany, speaks to United States' Antonee Robinson during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
People attend a watch party at Kent Ale House in New York for a televised World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia, Friday, June 19, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis
United States' Weston McKennie tries to block a shot from Australia's Jacob Italiano, left, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Australia's Harry Souttar (19) holds United States' Folarin Balogun (20) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Australia's Harry Souttar (19), foreground left, and United States' Folarin Balogun (20), foreground right, argue during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Referee Felix Zwayer, of Germany, a yellow card to Australia's Jacob Italiano, center, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17) and United States' Joe Scally (23) jump for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Referee Felix Zwayer, of Germany, gets medical advice during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Germany's referee Felix Zwayer is assisted by Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Referee Felix Zwayer, of Germany, gets medical advice during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
United States' Tyler Adams (4) blocks a shot by Australia's Jason Geria (6) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Australia's Cristian Volpato reacts at the end of the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
United States' Weston McKennie (8) and United States' Christian Pulisic (10) celebrate after winning the World Cup Group D soccer match against Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
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