USA look ahead to the knockouts
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Pochettino has built a dangerous, confident side. The support in the country appear ready to commit to encouraging them beyond Group D.
For Australia, they face a battle to save their tournament against Paraguay.
Thank you for reading tonight.
Pochettino celebrates ‘a fantastic game’
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Speaking after his side’s win, Pochettino was pleased with his side’s showing.
He said: “I think it was a fantastic game again, very good first half. I think we dominated the game against a very tough team. When the draw happened in December I thought it was really difficult, a really tough game.”
As he was interviewed, fans on the sidelines could be heard chanting his name. Discussing the country’s support, the former Chelsea manager added: “Amazing. I was saying yesterday Argentina have amazing fans but I think we are matching Argentina. Our fans, I’m so happy for them.”
How USA could win Group D tonight
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If Turkey fail to beat Paraguay tonight, that will see the United States win Group D after just two rounds. That takes place at 4am UK time.
Rooney: ‘Pochettino looks so happy’
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Here’s Wayne Rooney, also to the BBC: “Pochettino looks so happy. He looks like he’s enjoying it, the players look like they’re enjoying it.
“The players will know the expectation of the manager and that has certainty shown in the first two games.”
Giroud says ‘Pochettino won the battle today’
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Olivier Giroud to the BBC: “There’s definitely a lot of excitement surrounding this team, and the fans. I think they just managed the second half. They could have done some subs before, to rest the main players, but I think Pochettino won the battle today. I am thinking Tony Popovic could have done better by playing his scorers.”
USA take huge stride to winning group
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For the second time in their World Cup history, the United States started the competition with consecutive victories.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men impressed in their opening fixture when they defeated Paraguay 4-1, and would have expected a tougher match against Tony Popovic’s Australia.
The Australians, though, are not as strong as they have been in decades past, and were regularly opened by a relentless early performance from the co-hosts.
Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first match, and while he did not get on the scoresheet on Friday evening, he was integral to the USA’s win.
It was his run down the left wing and cross which forced a Cameron Burgess own goal after just 11 minutes, and the US continued to press for a second.
That came on 43 minutes, when Alex Freeman nodded in a looping, deflected shot from outside the box. While it was initially ruled out for offside, a review led to the goal being reinstated.
Three half-time substitutions from Australia went some way to redressing the balance, but the United States were rarely, if ever, truly threatened.
As tempers flared towards the end between both sides, it was the USA who held their nerve for victory, and they took a huge step to winning Group D.
Their next match is against Turkey, while for Australia they will hope to end the round of fixtures with success against Paraguay.
Full time! United States 2 Australia 0
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A comfortable and impressive victory for the USA, who go top of Group D.
90+6 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Reyna and Wright come on for the United States. Balogun is off to a standing ovation, as is McKennie.
90+4 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Irankunda is clattered by Richards, who is looking to stop a counter. That’s a yellow card.
The ref is now down with cramp. Not enough hydration breaks.
One of his assistants is assisting him.
90 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Six minutes of added time are indicated.
89 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Balogun catches Soutter with a zesty one, and the two sets of players come for a fervent exhange of views. Trusty goes to ground after a chat with Italiano. The referee went to three players in one go: Souttar, and two more. Balogun clattered into Souttar, so presumably he got one, as has Italiano. Pointless, not least because both Balogun and Souttar seemed to quickly calm down.
84 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Some skittish USA defending earns Australia some encouragement and a corner on the left. Nothing from it immediately, but a goalmout scramble is slightly desperate for the co-hosts until a foul is given against Australia.
81 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Dest and Robinson, both decent today, are off. Robinson is on a yellow, so it makes sense. Trusty and Scally are on for the USA.
78 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Okon-Engstler off, Irvine on for Australia. Now there’s a bit of a stramash, as Volpato has gone down, writing on the touchline.
Robinson barely touched him, so the game moves on.
74 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Berhalter is on for Pepi as Pochettino makes a change.
There is no love lost here, with some niggling afters creeping into the game.
73 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Irankunda chases down Ream, and just barges into him after he releases the ball.
It’s petty, but entirely within keeping of football.
67 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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A welcome chance for the players to down a pint of Gatorade, with electrolytes.
66 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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With the game under their control, and with a tough match against Turkey to come, perhaps Pochettino will start to consider taking off Balogun and others.
61 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Australia make a change, with Cristian Volpato on to replace Leckie, who appers to have a problem with his hamstring
— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 19, 202660' | Our fourth change of the day with Cristian Volpato on for his #FIFAWorldCup debut.
⬇️ Mathew Leckie
⬆️ Cristian Volpato🇺🇸 2-0 🇦🇺#Socceroos
Volpato is then at fault as he scoops a shot over the bar when he might have hit the target from Australia’s best chance of the match.
59 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Leckie, in his fourth World Cup, is down with an injury. So we have a brief pause now.
58 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Australia are defending more obdurately here in the second half.
When they do not have the ball, the USA stay compact, but find the legs to close down their opponents when it matters.
Australia have a corner. Antonee Robinson goes into the book for the US.
52 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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Circati recovers brilliantly to get a toe to a shot from Balogun.
However, the forward as at fault. He was three yards clear as he chased a through-ball, but two poor touches allowed Australia to recover and avoid a third goal.
49 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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More of the same so far. Australia are largely sitting back, hoping to hold off the USA’s probing.
46 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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We go again.
Geria, Metcalfe and Irankunda come on for Australia. Burgess, Velupillay and Toure are off.
— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 19, 2026Three changes at the interval.
⬇️ Cameron Burgess, Nishan Velupillay, Mohamed Toure
⬆️ Jason Geria, Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankuna🇺🇸 2-0 🇦🇺#Socceroos #FIFAWorldCup
HALF-TIME: United States 2 Australia 0
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The excellent Tillman sets up Dest for a low strike on goal from the edge of the box, but it’s well saved.
That is the last moment of signifcance for the half, and we’ll be back with more when the second half begins.
45+3 minutes: United States 2 Australia 0
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We’re a few minutes into seven of added time indicated.
‘Scenes’ as Freeman scores for USA
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You’re not going to find too many more popular scorers than Alex Freeman. The son of Super Bowl winner Antonio, he’s just headed the US 2-0 in front after a VAR review established he was not offside and has been mobbed by the entire US bench. Scenes.
43 minutes: GOAL! United States 2 Australia 0 - Freeman scores
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On review, it appears that Freeman was onside at the crucial moment, and the US players peel away to the corner to celebrate.
Italiano’s right leg played the Australian onside, and Freeman’s bravery is rewarded.
43 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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GOAL! No! A free kick comes to Dest, it loops into the air, and Freeman closes in to nod it home. It is. however, offside, and Australia trail by one still.
There is a check to see if there is an offside or not...
41 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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Here is the pre-match excitement we told you about earlier.
38 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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A clash of heads between Freeman and Okon-Engstler on the right wing. It looks quite nasty, and we’ll need a few minutes for treatment, here.
33 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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Circati goes into the book.
The Australian catches Tillman late about 25 yards from goal, but Robinson’s free kick goes nowhere.
Australia are struggling under the pressure.
29 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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Balogun is the star again, so far.
Folarin Balogun has already scored two goals and forced an own goal in just 93 minutes played at the World Cup ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/79525a1xV8
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 19, 2026
24 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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Two corners in quick succession are Australia’s reward for a rare period of pressure, but nothing comes of them.
It’s a hydration break, which offers a chance for the US and Europeans to argue about ice cubes in restaurants again, or something.
22 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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The Australians are struggling to play safely in their own penalty box. Twice in recent minutes they’ve given up possession and almost conceded. Not quite disgraceful, but very poor.
‘A really bright start from the US’
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A really bright start from the US. They’re extremely good to watch. Balogun has enjoyed an electric start to the tournament and the goal was all about him, leaving Circati dead for pace down the left. Pochettino didn’t feel his players matched Australia’s aggression when they met in October but, despite a series of heavy challenges from the Socceroos, the US just keep coming at them in waves. Ironic cheers from the US fans when Felix Zwayer finally reached for his book to give Bos a yellow card. Pochettino had been unhappy with a couple of unpunished challenges on Adams before then.
17 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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RFK Jr. in the crowd, perhaps ready to give some advice to any of the doctors on both sides.
16 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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Bos goes into the book.
The defender throws a hand up to stop McKennie’s run, but he catches the American’s face, and concedes a free kick, and earns a yellow.
14 minutes: United States 1 Australia 0
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The home team continue to press, and earn a corner on the left wing.
11 minutes: GOAL! United States 1 Australia 0 - Burgess own goal
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An own goal puts the co-hosts ahead!
Robison slips in Balogun down the left wing. He bursts down the wing, into the box. Burgess looks to cut his cross out, but instead he stumbles into the ball and sends it high into the net.
The USA have been on top for most of the match, and now they have something to show for it.
8 minutes: United States 0 Australia 0
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Leckie catches Adams late with a wild lunge in midfield. He’s lucky to avoid a yellow, and Adams seems to be telling the referee he’s unimpressed.
5 minutes: United States 0 Australia 0
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The United States are dominating possession after the early exchanges, but they have not done much with the ball so far.
2 minutes: United States 0 Australia 0
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Freese saves well at his near post after Toure shoots well from the right-hand side of the box.
1 minute: United States 0 Australia 0
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The match gets underway. Both sides chasing three more points to assert dominance in the group.
‘Australia are also without Nestory Irankunda’
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Pulisic may be missing but Australia are also without Nestory Irankunda who was the star of the show in their opening 2-0 victory over Turkey. The Watford forward, 20, became Australia’s youngest World Cup scorer when he put the Socceroos in front. His absence is a boost for the US. Fulham had actually lined up a £31m deal for Irankunda in March only to withdraw.
Popovic drops his goalscorers
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Nestroy Irankuda and Connor Metcalfe were the goalscorers for Australia against Turkey, but drop to the bench.
Head coach Popovic explained that he wants his team fresh, but if they struggle for goals, it’s an easy angle for criticism.
Early start for the Australians
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Fans back home will be getting up at 5am for kick-off.
USA focused in the warm-up
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The atmosphere in Seattle ahead of the #USMNT's second group game with Australia at Lumen Field is amazing. Enormous excitement here as fans prepare to march to the stadium pic.twitter.com/S67VoWns7y
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) June 19, 2026
‘It’s bedlam’
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There is a carnival atmosphere in Seattle, one of the country’s most soccer mad cities, ahead of the USMNT’s second Group D game against Australia. Thousands of fans congregated at the Harbour Steps and then marched along Western Avenue amid a soundtrack of “U.S.A.” chants. Anyone who says there’s little to no interest in football in the States should be here to witness this. It’s bedlam.
‘Enormous excitement’
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More video from James Ducker, showing the remarkable atmosphere around the ground.
The atmosphere in Seattle ahead of the #USMNT's second group game with Australia at Lumen Field is amazing. Enormous excitement here as fans prepare to march to the stadium pic.twitter.com/S67VoWns7y
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) June 19, 2026
‘Injury has been bigger than first thought’ - Pulisic out
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The big news out of Seattle is Christian Pulisic missing out owing to the calf injury he picked up in the 4-1 win over Paraguay that forced his substitution at half time. As the days have passed it has become clear the injury has been bigger than first thought. Pulisic has been training alone at the US’ Great Park Sports Complex base in Irvine this week, doing individual work with coaches as well as gym sessions. It’s a real blow to the US to lose their best player.
The AC Milan winger was outstanding in those first 45 minutes against Paraguay when he tore the South Americans to pieces so his replacement, Ricardo Pepi, the PSV Eindhoven forward whom Fulham have been interested in signing, has big shoes to fill. Part of Mauricio Pochettino’s strategy as US coach has been to forge a real team ethic and not indulge the star names, as has happened in the past, and we’re about to discover how effective that has been. There’s still plenty of attacking threat in this US side but there’s no doubt Pulisic’s absence is a huge boon for Australia.
Australia starting line-up
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Australia XI: Leckie, Burgess, Souttar, O’Neill, Italiano, Touré, Velupillay, Bos, Circati, Beach, Okon-Engstler.
Subs: Behich, Ryan, Izzo, Degenek, Irvine, Geria, Mabil, Hrustic, Metcalfe, Devlin, Trewin, Yengi, Volpato, Irankunda, Herrington.
— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 19, 2026📋 Our official Starting XI to take on the USA is locked in 💪
⦿ Two changes to the side that beat Türkiye ✅
⦿ Leckie and Velupillay come in for Irankunda and Metcalfe 🔁🇺🇸 v 🇦🇺 - 19.6.26 - 12:00pm local
🇺🇸 v 🇦🇺 - 20.6.26 - 5:00am AEST📱💻📺 Live on SBS & SBS On Demand… pic.twitter.com/xtPWNtcbBR
United States starting line-up
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United States: Ream, Adams, Antonee Robinson, McKennie, Matt Freese, Dest, Chris Richards, Balogun, Malik Tillman, Pepi, Freeman.
Subs: Zendejas, Roldán, Wright, Turner, Pulisic, Trusty, McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Weah, Scally, Reyna, Aaronson, Berhalter, Brady, Arfsten
— jt batson (@jtbatson) June 19, 2026It was awesome to be part of the legendary Seattle march alongside our amazing fans. Seattle has been rocking for days.
Let's go, USA. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/3lkEzPnnhx
The atmosphere in Seattle
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It would be unfair to level charges of irony at the United States. They are an enthusiastic people. Here is one example.
— jt batson (@jtbatson) June 19, 2026It was awesome to be part of the legendary Seattle march alongside our amazing fans. Seattle has been rocking for days.
Let's go, USA. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/3lkEzPnnhx
United States and Australia battle for Group D advantage
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Welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of the Group D match between co-hosts USA and Australia.
Both sides got off to winning starts in their first matches of the tournament.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had little difficulty in dispatching Paraguay, running out comfortable 4-1 winners. The three points and superior goal difference saw them move to the top of the table.
Australia, managed by Tony Popovic, guided his side to a potentially crucial 2-0 win over Turkey.
With Turkey a dangerous side for the US to face in their last match in the group, a win over Australia tonight would make them calmer about their prospects of topping the group, something which in theory should give them an advantageous position in the knockout bracket.
Australia, meanwhile, will hope to pick up a victory over Paraguay in their last game, and may come into the match with a less ambitious approach.
For the US, Folarin Balogun may be seen as the most dangerous man on the pitch. The former Arsenal man is now at Monaco, playing in the French top flight, and after a season where he netted 19 times for his club side, a strong showing at the World Cup might earn him a move to a bigger European side after the end of the tournament.
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic is unlikely to start, with the attacker a doubt with a calf problem.
Popovic surprised many when he picked Patrick Beach ahead of the more experienced Mathew Ryan in goal, and given their clean sheet, it seems likely he will keep his place.
Australia are a physical side, and the United States could struggle if they are not willing to fight their opponents for control of the pitch.