First Mexico.
Now also the USA.
The next host nation advances to the WC play-offs.
After two straight victories – 4–1 against Paraguay and now 2–0 against Australia – the USA is ready for the round of 16 in the World Cup.
If Turkey does not beat Paraguay on Saturday morning (kick-off 05:00 Swedish time), it is also clear that the USA will win the group.
The USA got off to a dream start to the match against Australia when Cameron Burgess headed the ball into his own net after just eleven minutes of play.
It is the first time in the history of the World Cup on the men’s side that a team concedes an own goal in two consecutive games, according to the statistical service Opta. In the USA’s opener against Paraguay, Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal in the seventh minute.
Shortly before the break, Alex Freeman made it 2–0 for the USA after staying in front and heading the ball into the net from close range. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but was approved after VAR review.
The second half remained scoreless. In stoppage time, the German head referee Felix Zwayer suffered a cramp, but after some help from his fellow referees, he was able to finish the match.
Zlatan: “Then they have saved a player”
USA superstar Christian Pulisic, 27, missed the game with a calf injury. He was replaced at half-time in the opener and does not need to be risked in the final group game against Turkey now that the USA is through.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is an expert on American Fox during the World Cup, reacted to Pulisic’s absence before kick-off. There was no reason to risk Pulisic, according to the Swede.
– If you are playing to go as far as possible in the tournament, you need to use all players, especially if someone has a feel. They (USA) took the risk in the first game, the most important one, and took three points. If they win today, they are already through to the playoffs and then they have saved a player for later in the tournament, Ibrahimovic said.
The host countries are successful
Mexico became the first team to secure a play-off ticket after winning their first two matches. The third host nation, Canada, is in principle ahead after four points from two matches.
It is the sixth time that the USA has made it to the World Cup finals on the men’s side. The longest the country has reached the quarter-finals was in 2002.
Australia are on three points and still have every chance of progressing. The country faces Paraguay in its final group stage match.
BET THE ENTIRE WC – COMPETE FOR GREAT PRIZES IN THE WC PROPHET
