U.S. tops Australia to win World Cup group without Pulisic
The Americans beat Australia 2-0, then secured Group D after Paraguay defeated Turkey, the Associated Press reported.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
The United States reached the World Cup knockout stage and won Group D after a 2-0 victory over Australia, the Associated Press reported. The result mattered beyond advancement: AP said it gave the Americans back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1930, even with Christian Pulisic out injured.
AP reported that Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Turkey early Saturday confirmed the U.S. as the Group D winner. The Americans will play a round-of-32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, California, against a third-place finisher, according to AP.
Pulisic missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury, AP reported. The forward, who plays for AC Milan, has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, according to AP.
Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, said the team showed it could handle Pulisic’s absence. “C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” Balogun said, according to AP. “We didn’t have him today, but I think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance.”
The U.S. went ahead in the 11th minute, AP reported, after Balogun drove down the left side and sent the ball toward Ricardo Pepi, who started in Pulisic’s place. AP said the pass deflected off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and went into the net for an own goal.
Balogun said he valued the chance created even without putting his own name on the scoresheet. “I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said, according to AP. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well.”
Alex Freeman doubled the lead in the 43rd minute, AP reported. The 21-year-old, the youngest player on the U.S. roster and the son of former NFL receiver Antonio Freeman, headed in after a deflected shot from Sergiño Dest, with the goal upheld following video review, according to AP.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Freeman’s progress after the match. “He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens,” Pochettino said, according to AP. “He’s a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him.”
AP reported that the Americans have scored six goals in the tournament, one short of their World Cup record. The outlet also noted the contrast with the 1994 U.S. team, which advanced as one of the best third-place teams when the country last hosted the tournament and then lost to eventual champion Brazil in the round of 16.
Australia coach Tony Popovic said the U.S. performance did not catch his team off guard, AP reported. “Their quality is clear. Their power is clear. Their athleticism is clear,” Popovic said, according to AP.
Pochettino said the wins have not changed how he views the team’s ceiling, AP reported. “I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win the games,” he said. “But, at the same time, it’s (important) to keep believing.”
Freeman said the win also showed the U.S. has options beyond Pulisic, according to AP. “We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute in the game,” Freeman said. “For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game.”
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.