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00:00this is their sixth world cup in a row but the Aussies have never progressed beyond the last 16 stage
00:14here we go then Seattle's second game of this FIFA world cup 2026
00:23and the Emerald City is painted red white and blue today
00:32but there's also a very healthy smattering of green and gold too
00:37the Australians may be outnumbered but they are determined to make themselves heard today
00:49ahead of the opening fixture with Paraguay if there were some doubts as to whether the USA could rise
00:55to the occasion after Pulisic and Florian Pelican leads the attack after his two goals against the
01:02Paraguayans also amongst the replacements Gio Reyna a special day for the 35 year old he becomes the
01:09Australian to appear in the most world cup games this is number 11 for him high noon in Seattle
01:17and this is the United States of America against Australia and you can hardly hear yourself think
01:26amid the cacophony of noise I honestly don't think I've been at the stadium and felt an atmosphere
01:32like this some key questions coming into it can the USA play at the same intensity that they did
01:38against Paraguay can Australia withstand the pressure that Turkey put them under in that first game
01:46last week's win against Paraguay has lit the fuse for the USA that 4-1 win has really drummed up
01:53the enthusiasm of the co-host nation but now they've got to defend and the first save of the afternoon
02:01yeah an early mistake a giveaway Chris Richards not expecting the pass Australia tried to take
02:08advantage he ran the furthest distance of the pitch in USA's opening victory against Paraguay
02:16Tyler Adams unable to find a clean pass we know that the USA will be boisterous but Australia
02:24work really hard too it's been a frantic start as you would expect USA out the blocks quickly
02:31playing with intensity Australia dropping into that shape that we saw against Turkey 8 back 5 midfield 4
02:38one up top Australia who fielded the youngest starting a level of any team in the opening round of games
02:50got a little bit more experience at the side today with Matthew Leckie in particular coming in
02:56he today joins Tim Cale as the only Australian to play in four world cups and Tony Popovich wanted that
03:02extra bit of know-how in the side today
03:08it's the first time that these teams have ever met at a FIFA World Cup Tim Ream
03:21Chris Richards
03:29flat back five your defence for Australia when the US are in possession
03:35Robertson gets what he hoped to be a corner but it's going to be a good kick
03:41they just expect to see plenty of this Anthony Robertson getting down that left hand side big blow losing
03:47Christian Bulesik to injury he's had a calf problem
03:51doesn't make the starting line line up today Ricardo Pepe coming in in his place
03:56and he will narrow off and allow that space for Robinson to run forward down the left
04:03Christian Bulesik who went off at half time in the opening game against Paraguay
04:07USA were three goals to the good of course at that stage good flick from Balogun
04:12and an important push of the ball away by Jordan Boss
04:20last time these signs met back in October it was a
04:24Richards who won European silverware this season with his club Crystal Palace in England they were
04:28the European Conference League winners last month
04:34Tyler Adams
04:38Tyler Adams has got to be careful today he's the only player on the pitch who would be due a
04:42suspension if
04:42he was to pick up a booking here
04:47McKennie dangerous delivery
04:50Ciccato wasn't able to fully clear and Australia relieved to hear the whistle there was a pull in the penalty
04:56area
04:59one of the key facets of their performance against Paraguay was the midfield rotations
05:05and McKennie just pops up on the right hand side delivers a teasing cross into the box
05:10they fill the box as well plenty of bodies in the area
05:20Lauren Balogun with a firm grip in the opponent's shirt
05:25two goals against Paraguay last time out in LA it was the second time ever that a US player
05:31had scored twice in a World Cup game after Bert
05:36Pattenau who also scored against Paraguay funny enough but a long long time ago almost a century back in
05:411930
05:43it's not an easy pass for Richards to receive
05:46opportunity for Velo Pelé
05:49and Chris Richards shuts it down immediately
05:53good work for Suter
05:57Toure found himself the meat of the sandwich as Tim Ream clears
06:10he's looked sharp he's awaiting any little opportunity Mohamed Toure
06:15yeah we've already seen a couple of mistakes at the back from the USA
06:18they're looking to capitalize on that there's plenty of pace up top for Australia
06:24no way through for Jordan Boss this time
06:31Suter relieved that he had such a big head start on Pepe
06:42McKinney accurate Balogun less so
06:52no time to take it down in control at the moment
06:56a game that has started a hundred miles an hour in Seattle
07:00crunching challenge for a kick to the USA
07:10Tom Adams crunched into by Matthew Lecky
07:13he's brilliant with the ball recovery
07:16quick to react win the ball back he does take a kick for his troubles
07:19but he's such an important player at the base of the midfield for the USA
07:24he allows the likes of McKinney and Tillman to get forward
07:35Tyler Adams who's club side Bournemouth did very well in the Premier League in England this season
07:40they qualified for Europe
07:41coach Anthony Areola did so well he's been appointed as the new
07:46Liverpool manager
07:48Maurizio Pochettino who won French league titles with Paris Saint-Germain he came
07:51very close to glory with English team Tottenham he was Premier League runner-up on season he was
07:57Champions League runner-up as well during his time in North London
08:03Adams to Dest
08:06USA keep the ball moving McKinney
08:12Adams
08:17Dest
08:20nicely returned to Serginho Dest
08:23shot was on target bravely blocked away
08:32lovely football from the USA neat and tidy
08:37good combinations excellent movement
08:41it's a bright block from Cameron Burgess in that Australian defence
08:46USA who scored very early against Paraguay after only seven minutes
08:52how they would love a start like that again today
09:03Dest
09:03Dest
09:06McKinney
09:07good strength holding off Jordan Boss
09:13Adams
09:16real crisp sharpness to the American passing at the moment
09:21they get bodies around the ball there's always an option for the man in possession
09:24they're gonna have to be patient because Australia are sitting in this low block
09:33Serginho Dest has scored three international goals over his career in the US team
09:39scored in a friendly against Senegal in March
09:42that's a good search
10:01it's a good search
10:04it's a good search
10:11Cameron Burgess
10:13Cameron Burgess puts it into his own nets
10:17for a second game in a row at this tournament
10:20the USA force an own goal to take the lead
10:25it's USA one Australia nil
10:31what a start from the host nation
10:34they're a team that are built to play on the front foot
10:36they want to attack they want to attack at pace
10:41they're really fluid with their combinations
10:44but they get runners in behind
10:49down that channel
10:50it's an excellent run
11:05to Pochettino plays ball boy
11:10he's an elite manager isn't he
11:11Maurizio Pochettino
11:13but it's taken him a while to find his best team
11:16his
11:16best formation
11:20utilised a lot of personnel and
11:22different tactical shifts
11:28McKennie
11:35eyes up scanning the horizon
11:38he's coming back as well McKennie
11:43Adams
11:45Freeman
11:48the tricky Dest
11:50oh what a lovely flick that was
11:52and he's in here
11:52Dest
11:53oh he did well not to go down
11:55some would have taken a tumble in the penalty area there
11:58that was electric from Serginio Dest
12:02and Oka Links is going to be careful here
12:04it's a real tussle
12:06free kick to the USA
12:11look at these twinkle toes from Serginio Dest
12:14honestly what a player
12:16speedy fullback full of energy full of trickery
12:19jinking his way into the box
12:23how close was Cameron Burgess he actually got a slight touch on the ball did he
12:33and the Burgess who's already scored an own goal certainly won't want to give away a penalty
12:39now rehearsed move
12:41desk
12:42might still be
12:44might still be
12:44the flag is up
12:47it's not going to count for Alex Freeman
12:51the USA fans celebrating
12:53but the flag was raised for offside
13:01I think it's tight
13:03the flag went up immediately
13:05it's a well-worked free kick to the edge of the box
13:09to the free man
13:10put the USA 2-0 up here in Seattle
13:14so there's the touch
13:15I think he might well be on
13:22Balogun looks to be clearly offside he doesn't touch the ball
13:26might
13:28following Balogun though be perceived to be in the line of sight
13:32that's why this is taking a little bit longer
13:41here we go
13:52after factual review
13:54the goal scorer was not in offside position
13:57the goal is correct
14:00USA 2
14:02Australia 0
14:04seven minutes to be added on ahead of half time
14:09no more than the USA deserve
14:11it's a scoreline now that reflects what we've seen
14:14the USA have been dominant right from the off
14:17they were in Australia's faces
14:20Tony Popovich's side have been struggling to live with it
14:23and they do indeed double that advantage
14:29USA who have now become the top first half scorers at this tournament
14:35no other nation has scored more goals in the first half of their games
14:41than USA have here at FIFA World Cup 2026
14:46and if the excitement was drummed up after the win against Paraguay
14:50well it's gonna go stratospheric now if it stays like this
14:55it's all USA
14:57Australia haven't had a touch of the ball inside the
14:59USA penalty area since the 23rd minute
15:02that's how one-sided it's been
15:18another inch swinger
15:20Richards trying to get there but the jostling for position triggered the whistle from the referee
15:31so here's confirmation of the goal
15:35it's automated
15:39Malaghan was in an offside position
15:42Freeman wasn't and therefore the goal stands
15:47game and a half into this world cup
15:49USA have now scored six goals over their two opening matches
15:55this is just the start to the tournament that Maurizio Pochettino would have been dreaming of
16:04it can be difficult for hosts because you qualify automatically it's a long time before this tournament
16:11in terms of competitive action for the USA
16:14but they have been so sharp in these opening exchanges there was a handball here
16:22Jordan Boss there and that's why the free kick's been given to the USA
16:33suddenly the task is doubly difficult for Tony Popovich
16:38and Australia well he feels that he's got to change he's got to do something change the formation be
16:44braver be more positive because the way the game's gone you can only see the USA advantage getting bigger
16:54momentum to build on for the USA
17:10Alex Freeman only the second defender to ever score for the USA in a FIFA world cup since 1994
17:16John Brooks scored against Ghana in the world cup in Brazil
17:22Alex Freeman in the right place at the right time and showing the right determination
17:27to double USA's lead
17:36Tillman under pressure from Boss
17:40it's really good persistence from the Australia
17:45but he's not going to get the free kick he desires gold kick to the USA
18:02to be beaten in the air by Giacchetti
18:06to be beaten in the air by Giacchetti
18:27in MLS history
18:32Adams
18:34Balogun got it ahead of Suter
18:37Balogun's gone down but the referee says no foul he was happy for play to continue and
18:41now that it has gone out for a throw referee Félix Zueye will come across to check the player is
18:46okay
18:48it's a heavy collision isn't it just catches
18:53Harry Suter
18:55he's a really complete centre ball he's got that ability to come and link plate and then
18:59he can go the other way and stretch defenses
19:03he's got that ability to come across to the United States
19:03tell you what no Christian Pulisic no problem for the USA
19:10this is the ultimate team sport it's not about the individual
19:16well it's your pocciotino has been able to harness this squad strength
19:24Freeman scorer of the US's second goal
19:28Dest who's had a great first half Patrick Beach
19:32he has been electric
19:35he's certainly not putting the reins on him he's getting forward at every opportunity
19:42can Australia get something back ahead of the break
19:46Lecky's pass to Jordan Boss
19:51just sort of swung in early there
19:53boss tries to take it beyond freedom
19:56strong defending again goal kick
20:09so that is half time Cameron Burgess own goal set the USA on their way
20:15Jason Guerrier who plays his club football in Japan he's a central defender
20:20he comes on in place of Cameron Burgess the Australian who scored the own goal today
20:26that set the USA on their way
20:32Nishan Filipile will make way and Mohamed Toure departs to allow Iran Kunda to lead the attack
20:59so something had to change for Australia they have made their three alterations
21:05and the USA from the restart trying to kick for territory but the referee is going to make them come
21:12and take that goal kick again
21:22so that's the enthusiasm for the USA players jumping the gun
21:27and that kick towards the corner flag
21:35I know you're a big rugby fan playing for territory
21:47I know you're a big rugby fan playing for territory
21:58he was the only player who would have shot on target for the Aussies in the first half but
22:03Iran Kunda 20 years of age will hope to bring a little bit more presence to the Australian attack
22:10they've got to try and step on at least 10-15 yards
22:14because they've sat in a shape and not really been able to hurt the USA
22:16and the areas where they can hurt them is in behind especially down against Tim Ream
22:23terrific footballer but does lack pace
22:28it's a balancing act for Tommy Popovich of course he wants to chase the game
22:32what he doesn't want is the goal scoring goal difference column to to get further damaged
22:40Australia whose last group game is against Paraguay
22:43will be in San Francisco
22:47lose today Australia can definitely still go through
22:53the only slight tweak I've seen from Australia is pushing
22:56Leckie and Metcalfe slightly higher up but second half continued with
23:00USA that little bit sharper than Australia
23:25cannot hold on but second half continued with appeared
23:31the only game I've seen as far back as that has happened
23:31is a game of five and a game of six to three
23:33количество the speed of the game I've seen in the reporting
23:34there being two games and the player's playing game of six to three
23:34it was really not just it's been a game-fying a game of six to three
23:37the game and the game was probably a game of six to three
23:47Richards
23:48Freeman
23:50Before desk covered by Jakati
24:04Australia who battle so hard to win possession but then find it so difficult to hold on to
24:18Beppi
24:21Dest
24:29To
24:51Awesome, just got the Italiano there, Australia regained possession
24:58Look on Aingslip, Italiano, all back for Australia here would certainly infuse the interest of the visiting team
25:13Murcheski have you to say something to worry about, now Balogun can't be offside, he was inside his own house
25:20Soler in Balogun and he couldn't get the shot away early enough
25:24From Alessandro Ciacati, so much space for him to run into
25:31How well is he excusable from Australia
25:38Another well-delivered corner, Aaron Gunda
25:49Looking for the counter-attack but unable to find it
25:52They've definitely narrowed off a little more Australia to try and combat the area in midfield where the USA have
25:58got so many bodies
26:05Here is again, Balogun
26:13The USA get a corner again
26:23Certainly no reaching for the handbrake from USA in this second period
26:27As it was in their opening match against Paraguay, they've got a lead and they want to build on it
26:33Tilburg gets another corner kick
26:37Well, they're in a position in the game where they couldn't control the tempo, can't they?
26:42Two goals ahead
26:44Still the dominant force
26:48They put so much into the first game and this one
26:54Tim Murray has only ever scored one international goal in his long career
26:58Balogun was closest to that one
27:00And again, there's been a clash of heads so the referee will immediately hold up play just to make sure
27:05everyone's okay here
27:07Ciacati and Balogun
27:12Did that match though
27:14They've not had a clean sheet in any of their last nine games
27:18USA
27:20Aaron Gunda
27:24Metcalf
27:26Just couldn't get the power
27:28Australia are beginning to find something in attack that wasn't there earlier
27:32Well, those substitutions, Conor Metcalf
27:36Aaron Gunda
27:37The two goalscorers from the first game on the pitch
27:39They look a far bigger threat now
27:46Momentum
27:46Can be a fickle thing in football
27:49USA who've had this all to themselves
27:50However
27:51They've just got to be careful now
27:53Richards against Aaron Gunda
27:55The on-field decision is to wave away the protests
28:02Freeman's clearance
28:06Kept in by Balogun
28:08Stopped by Italiano
28:12Chris Richards found discomfort here on the edge of his penalty area
28:17Leans across him
28:18Don't think there's too much in it
28:21I do think that
28:23Tony Popovich will be regretting his decision to leave Metcalf and Aaron Gunda out though from the start
28:27As they've made a big difference off the bench
28:30Here is Metcalf
28:36Pata
28:37Tries to take the ball on
28:39Referee says it's a fair challenge
28:45Almost midway through the second half in Seattle
28:54Dest
28:57Adams
29:05Already in this second half Australia have had as many shots as they did in the entirety of the first
29:10half
29:12But is it going to be enough?
29:33Adams
29:34Adams
29:39Dest
29:41This is Freeman
29:46Ciccati just ahead of right
29:49As the referee blows the final whistle
29:52And the USA have done it
29:55Two wins out of two
30:13And the USA have done it
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