The United States took a huge step towards winning their World Cup group as they beat Australia 2-0 with a dominant, high-energy performance in front of a boisterous sellout crowd in Seattle.
The US secured consecutive wins at a World Cup for the first time since 1930, and will be confirmed as group winners if Turkey fail to beat Paraguay later today.
The tournament co-hosts were without talisman Christian Pulisic because of a calf injury, but subjected Australia to severe pressure in the first half which resulted in two goals.
Australia defender Cameron Burgess inadvertently stabbed the ball into his own net in the 11th minute after US striker Folarin Balogun had raced to the byeline and squared across the face of goal.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side doubled their lead minutes before half-time when Alex Freeman reacted quickest to a deflected Sergino Dest strike to nod past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach. The goal was awarded following a video assistant referee (VAR) check after initially being flagged offside.
