The Socceroos have been brought back down to earth in brutal fashion at the World Cup, suffering a demoralising and costly 2-0 defeat to the United States.
Australia’s hopes of progression and sealing a top-two berth will come down to their final group match against Paraguay on June 25 (June 26 AEST) after a nightmare afternoon at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
Coach Tony Popovic’s call to bench Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, who scored in Australia’s opening 2-0 win over Turkey, for Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie backfired as the US dominated.
The US, without injured star Christian Pulisic, battered Australia all day and took the lead in the 11th minute through a Cameron Burgess own goal.
Alex Freeman dealt the Socceroos a hammer blow by bundling home a header – that was initially ruled offside but cleared by VAR – to double the co-hosts’ lead in the 43rd.
Popovic turned to Irankunda and Metcalfe at halftime but Australia could not claw their way back, while Leckie came off injured on the hour mark to add to the horror afternoon.
The Socceroos suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat to the United States that leaves their World Cup fate hanging in the balance
Tony Popovic’s decision to leave Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda on the bench failed to pay off
Alex Freeman scored the USA’s second goal, which was awarded following a lengthy VAR review
The USA climbed to the top of Group D with six points after backing up their opening win over Paraguay
The US (six points) lead Australia (three) in Group D, with Turkey and Paraguay facing off on Friday night.
Even without superstar Pulisic (calf), the US were on top in every element, bullying the Australians physically, dominating possession and explosive in attack.
The healthy Australian contingent in the crowd of 66,925 fans were well and truly outnumbered by their deafening US counterparts, and the Socceroos looked intimidated and nervous.
Australia couldn’t string passes together and were constantly under the pump.
Seattle Stadium erupted when Folarin Balogun went on a blistering run down the left, cut into the box then squared a brilliant ball that Burgess turned into his own net.
It was a nightmare game for the centre-back, who was uncharacteristically shaky on the ball and hooked at halftime.
The US doubled their lead after a free kick was worked to Sergino Dest at the top of the box.
Dest’s shot took a deflection and Freeman rose highest to head home.
It was initially called offside but after a VAR review, it was ruled Freeman was onside when Dest shot, while Balogun was not considered to have interfered with Patrick Beach.
Popovic took off Mohamed Toure, Velupillay and Burgess for Irankunda, Metcalfe and Jason Geria at halftime and saw some improvements.
Alessandro Circati brilliantly stopped Balogun making it 3-0 in the 51st minute.
Cristian Volpato made his World Cup debut when he replaced Leckie.
Volpato, Irankunda and Metcalfe had some moments, while Geria had a shot blocked, but it proved too little, too late.
