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FIFA World Cup
Victory meant the US advanced to the knockout rounds with a game to spare while Australia will have to defeat Paraguay on Thursday to be absolutely sure of continuing their journey.
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Without injured talisman attacker Christian Pulisic, who failed to recover from a calf issue in time, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino switched to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing in second striker Ricardo Pepi.
For the second game running, the US were gifted an early lead, thanks to an own goal in the 11th minute.
Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline.
Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net.
For the second game running, the US were gifted an early lead, thanks to an own goal in the 11th minute.
Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline.
Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net.
Having surprisingly dropped both goalscorers from their impressive opening win over Turkey, Australia looked toothless.
The US controlled possession and were lively and dynamic on the attack, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest combining well down the right flank.
Alex Freeman doubled the US lead in the 44th minute from what was surprisingly his team's first shot on target.
Taking a free-kick from the right byline, Antonee Robinson ignored the scrum in the box and played the ball to Sergino Dest, wide open in the D, whose blocked shot looped up into the air.
Freeman - son of Super Bowl-winning NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman - was first to the ball, heading it past Patrick Beach. The offside flag went up. But it was overturned by VAR, and the stadium rocked for a second a time.
The US controlled possession and were lively and dynamic on the attack, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest combining well down the right flank.
Alex Freeman doubled the US lead in the 44th minute from what was surprisingly his team's first shot on target.
Taking a free-kick from the right byline, Antonee Robinson ignored the scrum in the box and played the ball to Sergino Dest, wide open in the D, whose blocked shot looped up into the air.
Freeman - son of Super Bowl-winning NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman - was first to the ball, heading it past Patrick Beach. The offside flag went up. But it was overturned by VAR, and the stadium rocked for a second a time.
Group D: USA v Australia
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Australia made three changes at the break - sending on Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, the goalscorers against Turkey - and pushed higher up the field.
They were nearly caught out immediately. Balogun raced onto a through ball for a one-on-one chance, but his shot was blocked after a heavy touch.
They were nearly caught out immediately. Balogun raced onto a through ball for a one-on-one chance, but his shot was blocked after a heavy touch.
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Australia's best chance so far came in the 62nd minute. The dangerous Cristian Volpato - who switched allegiance from Italy to Australia on the eve of the tournament - skied his shot from Irankunda's cut-back pass.
With the US sitting back, Metcalfe had a shot saved, a rampaging Irankunda was brought down by Richards, and Jason Geria's close-range effort was blocked in a nervy final phase for the hosts.
Sources: AFP, FIFA via Getty Images
With the US sitting back, Metcalfe had a shot saved, a rampaging Irankunda was brought down by Richards, and Jason Geria's close-range effort was blocked in a nervy final phase for the hosts.
Sources: AFP, FIFA via Getty Images
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