United States’ Alex Freeman (16), second left, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal in the course of the World Cup Group D soccer match between america and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
SEATTLE — Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt america one bit.
The Americans advanced to the knockout round of the World Cup without their injured star forward, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday for his or her second straight victory within the expanded 48-team tournament. The U.S. then won Group D when Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 early Saturday morning.
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“C.P. is a improbable player — the standard and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals within the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I believe you saw we’re still capable to go on the market and get a result and put up a performance.”
Because the Group D winner, the U.S. will play a round-of-32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, California, against a third-place group finisher.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s match due to a calf injury.
Playing with out a talent like Pulisic could have derailed previous American World Cup teams. But much has modified because the last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, when it advanced by being probably the greatest third-place teams. The Americans lost to eventual champion Brazil within the round of 16.
United States’ Alex Freeman (16) scores their second goal in the course of the World Cup Group D soccer match between america and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The U.S. has won consecutive games at a World Cup for the primary time since 1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one off their record for a World Cup, and received contributions throughout their roster.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and the son of former NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, made it 2-0 within the forty third minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first profession World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
“(He) is doing a improbable job,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman. “The evolution is very large. He’s so humble. He desires to learn. He at all times listens. He’s a player that you just really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him.”
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead within the eleventh minute after a run down the left sideline by Balogun.
He directed a centering pass toward striker Ricardo Pepi, who began rather than Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
“I need to be dangerous, I need to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It may not at all times be myself that scores, but when I can force an error that provides us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well. It was a special begin to the sport to offer us the momentum.”
The Americans didn’t rating after halftime, but the best way they so thoroughly dominated Australia within the opening 45 minutes left an impression on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“It didn’t surprise us because their quality is evident,” Popovic said. “Their power is evident. Their athleticism is evident. They are usually not surprising in what they did.”
Expectations will only increase for the U.S. as momentum builds across the team. The Americans’ begin to the tournament has not modified Pochettino’s perception of his squad and its potential.
“I believe it’s a lot better if you show good performances and win the games,” Pochettino said. “I believe that makes it easier, every little thing. But, at the identical time, it’s (necessary) to maintain believing.”
The U.S. learned it could actually get out of the group stage without Pulisic. And it has the roster to make a deep run.
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“We know the way vital Christian is to the team and the way much he can contribute in the sport,” Freeman said. “For us it was, we now have Ricardo Pepi, who got here in and had an incredible game. I believe that just shows how (good) our roster is.”