USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino referred to as his gamers “superb” and in contrast their followers to supporters in his native Argentina after the World Cup 2026 co-hosts reached the knockout stage by beating Australia 2-0 at Lumen Discipline.
A former worldwide for the reigning champions, Pochettino paused his post-match interview to boost his fists in celebration to admirers who sang his identify in Seattle, the place Cameron Burgess scored an personal purpose and Alex Freeman headed in earlier than half-time.
“It was a implausible sport once more,” stated Pochettino, who oversaw a 4-1 win over Paraguay on matchday one.
“Argentina have superb followers however we’re matching Argentina. It’s superb, our followers. I really feel so glad for them.”
World Cup 2026 evaluation: Can USA win finals?
The USA secured one other spectacular win regardless of the absence of captain and attacking inspiration Christian Pulisic, who watched from the bench after struggling a calf damage towards Paraguay.
“Christian is among the finest gamers within the on the earth and we hope he can get well as quickly as attainable,” stated Pochettino.
“But when we need to win the competitors, we want the entire crew. All of the gamers must be vital.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney referred to as Pochettino’s ambition to win the 2026 version “implausible”.
“Are the USA going to win it?” Rooney requested ITV. “Most likely not, however he’s spreading the message and you may really feel that of their two performances.
“That’s why he’s a high supervisor… making his gamers consider they’ll win it.”
USA vs Australia: Balogun ‘full circle’ at World Cup 2026
Folarin Balogun scored twice towards Paraguay and produced the cross from which Burgess discovered his personal internet.
“We wished to start out quick once more, like we did towards Paraguay,” stated the previous England Underneath-21 ahead, who switched to the USA in 2023.
“It at all times makes the sport simpler. I’m so glad for Freeman – he’s such a humble child, so right down to earth and to get his first World Cup purpose on dwelling soil makes it a particular night for him as nicely.
“It means all the things. I really feel like this event is coming full circle for me. It’s been three years since I dedicated to the US and to repay the followers on the largest stage means the world to me.”
Australia ‘sluggish’ vs USA at World Cup 2026
Australia head coach Tony Popovic’s three half-time modifications included the introductions of Conor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, who had began and scored of their spectacular opening 2-0 win over Turkiye, alongside Jason Geria.
“I don’t know if it was the event however we regarded sluggish, heavy-legged,” stated Popovic. “[The USA were] faster, extra highly effective.
“They received each duel, they received each second ball and while you do this, it makes it very troublesome to get any achieve any momentum.
“Then we conceded two smooth targets. However the response within the second half was excellent while you assume, about this noise right here [and playing a] host nation.
“The gamers confirmed how good they’re within the second half, however at this stage you’ll be able to’t give away that a lot within the first.
“We had lots of fatigued boys within the first half. Bodily and mentally, it was robust. However um, yeah, excellent second half, so we’re we’re going to construct on that.”
Rooney declared he “didn’t like” Popovic’s interview. “Once you relaxation gamers otherwise you’re not enjoying your finest gamers – particularly towards a USA crew who press, while you want that outlet – he made a mistake and he recognised that at half-time.
“He tried to repair it they usually had been a lot better within the second half. You need to play your finest crew to attempt to get out of the group, as a result of that will have been an achievement for Australia. He’s tousled.”
The US gamers went WILD for his or her second purpose! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pTFr3uLMZJ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 19, 2026
World Cup 2026: USA, Australia fixtures, schedule
Ought to Turkiye not beat Paraguay within the later sport in Group D (04:00 BST on Saturday), the USA will win Group D and be assured a last-32 contest towards one of many third-placed finishers among the many teams in San Francisco on July 1.
The USA and Australia play their remaining fixtures of the group stage on Thursday. Asterisk denotes match beginning the next day in that territory.
| Date | Opponents | Venue | BST begin time | ET | PT |
| June 25 | Turkiye | Los Angeles | 03:00* | 22:00 | 19:00 |
| June 25 | Paraguay | San Francisco | 03:00* | 22:00 | 19:00 |
World Cup 2026: USA crew vs Australia
The USA made one change by introducing Ricardo Pepi rather than Pulisic.
USA: Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Sergino Dest, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi
USA substitutes: Matt Turner, Auston Trusty, Giovanni Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Miles Robinson, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Max Arfsten, Haji Wright, Timothy Weah, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Chris Brady, Alex Zendejas
World Cup 2026: Australia crew vs USA
Australia made two modifications from their win over Turkiye 5 days earlier, bringing in Nishan Velupillay and Matthew Leckie for Metcalfe and Irankunda.
Australia: Patrick Seashore, Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos, Mathew Leckie, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay, Mohamed Toure
Australia substitutes: Mathew Ryan, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Connor Metcalfe, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, Paul Izzo, Cameron Devlin, Kai Trewin, Aziz Behich, Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato, Jackson Irvine, Lucas Herrington, Tete Yengi
World Cup 2026: United States v Australia stats
- This was the primary World Cup assembly between the groups, who’ve shared 4 friendlies
- The USA had received their previous two encounters, prevailing 3-1 in June 2010 and 2-1 in October 2025, when Haji Wright scored twice from Cristian Roldan assists
- They’ve received every of their final eight matches performed in Seattle, together with every of their six matches on the Seattle Stadium
- The win over Paraguay was the USA’s joint-largest margin of victory on the World Cup and the primary time they’ve scored at the very least 4 targets in a match on the finals
- The USMNT beforehand received consecutive video games on the event of their first two matches within the inaugural 1930 version, considered one of which was a three-goal victory over Paraguay.
- Australia’s solely earlier match towards a World Cup host was in 1974, dropping 3-0 to West Germany in Hamburg
- They’ve received three of their final 5 World Cup matches (L2), which is greater than they received throughout their first 17 matches within the competitors (W2 D4 L11)
- The 30 pictures Australia confronted of their win over Turkiye was the second-most they’ve absorbed in a World Cup match, after a complete of 31 towards West Germany in 1974
- Irankunda turned Australia’s youngest ever World Cup scorer (20 years, 125 days) of their win over Turkiye however didn’t turn out to be the primary participant below the age of 21 to attain in his first two World Cup appearances since Memphis Depay for the Netherlands in 2014
