USMNT excitement is building at World Cup 2026 after another eye-catching performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s side on Day 9 of the tournament. Two goals were enough to see off Australia and make it two wins out of two on a fun afternoon in Seattle.
Time to check out all the goalscoring action…
Impressive USA into the knockouts
The tournament co-hosts impressed with another high-energy start to the game and were rewarded with the opening goal after just 11 minutes. Balogun continued his impressive form at the tournament by bursting
down the left, beating his man and sending in a cross for Ricardo Pepi that was diverted past his own goalkeeper by Australia defender Cameron Burgess.
Pochettino’s side continued to dominate the first half and were rewarded just before half-time with a second goal. A clever free-kick was cut back to Sergino Dest on the edge of the penalty area to let fly with a shot. His effort was blocked but Alex Freeman managed to head home the loose ball. The goal was originally flagged for offside but given after a VAR check, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and around the stadium.
The win means that the USMNT are safely through to the knockout stages after securing consecutive wins at a World Cup for the first time since 1930. Later results also ensured they will progress as group winners.
Gone in 70 seconds
Morocco took just 70 seconds to score against Scotland in a dramatic start to the game in Boston. Ismael Saibari lashed home an eye-catching shot from inside the penalty area after some sloppy defending from Steve Clarke’s side.
The fastest goal of World Cup 2026 so far (but not for long, we’ll get to that) ended up being the only goal of the game, as Scotland struggled to create chances. The defeat means the Tartan Army’s hopes of qualification are now in the balance, ahead of their final group game against Brazil.
Cunha at the double as Brazil send Haiti home
Brazil picked up their first win of the finals by cruising past Haiti. Manchester United Matheus Cunha came into the team in place of Igor Thiago and opened the scoring when defender Hannes Delcroix kicked the ball off him and it spun into the net.
Cunha may have been fortunate with his first goal but there was nothing lucky about his second. Vinicius Jr played his team-mate through and the Manchester United man hammered a strike into the top corner at the near post.
Vinicius Jr then scored his second of the tournament after fine work from Lucas Paqueta in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The Real Madrid superstar ran onto a ball over the top and kept his composure to slot home.
The results on Day 9 are enough to confirm Haiti are the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup as they are now guaranteed to finish bottom of Group C.
Turkiye crash out after Paraguay defeat
Turkiye then became the second team to crash out of the tournament following a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay. Matias Galarza scored the winner after just 64 seconds, making sure to outdo Morocco, with a low strike from range that flew into the back of the net.
Turkiye went on to dominate and managed 32 attempts on goal but could not find a way back in to the game even after Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off at World Cup 2026 for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent.
Plenty of goals but which was your favorite? Have your say in our poll, as we cover every goal, goof and everything in between throughout the World Cup!
