The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with one game to spare after comfortably beating Australia 2-0 in Group D on Friday.
The tournament co-hosts went ahead in the 11th minute when Folarin Balogun burst beyond the Australian back line and delivered a pass that defender Cameron Burgess turned into his own net.
The US doubled their advantage shortly before halftime as Alex Freeman headed home from close range, a goal that was initially ruled out for offside but awarded following a VAR review, sparking jubilant celebrations on a sun-splashed afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.
US reach World Cup knockout round with dominant 2-0 win over Australia
Alex Freeman. (Reuters Photo)
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