Co-hosts USA continued their remarkable start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 by becoming the second nation to secure their place in the Round of 32 with a second successive victory.
It was also a day that saw vital points collected by Morocco, Brazil and Paraguay, but despair for eliminated Haiti and Türkiye.
Group D
USA 2 Australia 0
The United States made it two wins from two matches with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle. A double strike inside the opening forty-five minutes was the difference as the US moved into the knockout stages.
There was a dream start for the co-hosts who found themselves in front after just eleven minutes, Folarin Balogun broke down the left flank and drilled a low cross into the area that was turned into his own net by retreating defender Cameron Burgess, setting the stadium ablaze with noise.
And the United States would be two to the good at half time. Sergino Dest rifled in a shot at goal that was blocked and looped into the air for the onrushing Alex Freeman to beat Socceroos goalkeeper Patrick Beach to the dropping ball and nod home from inside the six-yard box.
It was a much better performance from Australia after the interval following the introduction of their dual goalscorers against Türkiye, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, but they barely threatened the US goal as the Americans celebrated back-to-back FIFA World Cup victories for the first time since 1930.
Türkiye 0 Paraguay 1
A goal after just 64 seconds from Matias Galarza kept Paraguay hopes of qualification from Group D alive, but condemned Türkiye to an early exit from the FIFA World Cup. Paraguay’s success coming despite ending the game with ten-men following the dismissal of Miguel Almiron.
Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth while talking to an opponent just before the half time whistle, opening the door for Türkiye who were unable to break down a resilient opposition. Across two matches Türkiye managed 62 attempts at goal but failed to net once.
The pivotal moment arrived early, as Galarza took aim from outside the penalty area and drilled in a strike that flew past Uğurcan Çakır in the Turkish goal, the fastest goal of the World Cup to date, edging out Ismale Saibari’s effort for Morocco earlier in the day. It was a goal that ended Türkiye dreams.
Group C
Scotland 0 Morocco 1
A goal inside the opening two minutes from Isamel Saibari proved to be the difference maker at Gillette Stadium in Boston as Morocco defeated Scotland 1-0 in the second round of matches in Group B. Saibari struck with an explosive shot early on, and Scotland were unable to find a way back into the contest.
The match could not have started any better for the Moroccans who hit the front as early as 71 seconds, Saibari got in behind the Scottish defence and hammered a spectacular shot high beyond the reach of ‘keeper Angus Gunn and into the top corner. The same player hit the bar in the second half.
Gunn denied Bilal El Khannouss with a sharp save to keep Scotland in the contest, but at the other end the Scots appeared relatively toothless, barely threatening the Moroccan goal and not registering a shot on target throughout the entirety of the ninety minutes.
With the victory Morocco moved to four points and likely qualification to the knockout stage, while Scotland, courtesy of their win over Haiti, can still look towards progression themselves as they face Brazil in their final match of the group phase.
Brazil 3 Haiti 0
A brace of goals from Matheus Cunha helped Brazil to a comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti in Group C at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia moving the Brazilians to the top of the standings ahead of Morocco, and condemning Haiti to elimination from the tournament.
Cunha was preferred to Igor Thiago in a change to the striking talent from the team’s opening 1-1 draw with Morocco, and the Manchester United man justified his selection by opening the scoring midway through the first half, being the beneficiary of a fortunate ricochet to bundle home.
If the first was fortuitous, the second was magical. Vinicius Junior slid an inch-perfect pass through the Haitian backline and Cunha took the ball in his stride before lashing a magnificent finish high into the near corner of the net giving the Haiti goalkeeper no chance of keeping it out.
There was a third before the break as Vinicius Junior netted his second of the World Cup in fine fashion, but Brazil were unable to add to their tally in the second half despite creating plenty of chances. The only sour note was the loss of Raphinha to injury in the opening forty-five minutes.
RESULTS
Group D
USA 2 (Cameron BURGESS 11’ (og), Alex FREEMAN 43’) Australia 0
(Lumen Field, Seattle)
Türkiye 0 Paraguay 1 (Matias Galarza 2’)
(Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area)
Group C
Scotland 0 Morocco 1 (Ismael SAIBARI 2’)
(Gillette Stadium, Boston)
Brazil 3 (Matheus Cunha 23’, 36’, Vinicius Junior 45+3’) Haiti 0
(Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
WHAT’S NEXT
Sunday 21 June
Group F: Netherlands v Sweden (Houston, 5am)
Group E: Germany v Côte d’Ivoire (Toronto, 8am)
Group E: Ecuador v Curaçao (Kansas City, 12pm)
Group F: Tunisia v Japan (Monterrey, 4pm)