SEATTLE, June 19 (Reuters) - The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with a dominant performance against Australia on Friday, an early own goal and a simple header from Alex Freeman giving the co-hosts a comfortable 2-0 win.
Just as they had in their 4-1 victory over Paraguay, the U.S. forced an own goal to open the scoring, with Cameron Burgess the unfortunate defender.
Freeman nodded in just before the break, the goal initially ruled out for offside but given on review, prompting the U.S. bench to flood the pitch in celebration.
Australia coach Tony Popovic dropped both goalscorers, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, from the Socceroos' 2-0 win over Turkey and brought them on at halftime to try to turn the tide.
But they rarely looked like getting back into the match in a second half which became increasingly fractious and lacked quality.
The U.S. moved on to six points and into the last 32 before their last game against Turkey on Thursday in Los Angeles. They will top Group D if Turkey do not beat Paraguay later on Friday.
Australia remain second on three points and next face Paraguay in San Francisco.
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