The US team secured two consecutive wins and advanced early, but controversies and embarrassments were equally present.

Written by Shen Mo. Two hours before kickoff, US coach Pochettino only then confirmed that their top star Pulisic would miss the game against Australia because of an injury. However, the US team was stronger in quality, and with the benefit of being hosts, they beat a rotated Australian side 2-0 with ease, marking their first two-match winning streak in the World Cup since 1930.

This is the sixth time the US team has advanced since the group stage format was introduced in the 1950 World Cup, and it is the first time in team history that they qualified for the knockout stage with one group match to spare. During the 1994 World Cup in the US, they had one draw and one win for four points in their first two games, then lost 1-0 to Romania in the final group match at the Rose Bowl, barely advancing as one of the four best third-placed teams ahead of Russia and South Korea. In the subsequent four tournaments, the US team also only secured qualification in the final round. Moreover, six points is the highest group stage total the US has ever achieved in a World Cup.

Many American celebrities attended the match against Australia, including NFL superstar Russell Wilson, US women's soccer star Rodman, and of course, socialite Paris Hilton. Despite missing top star Pulisic, the US team established a solid advantage through high pressing and fast attacking, combined with the "home-field whistle" of being the host nation and some luck, comfortably defeating Australia, who were already slightly weaker in strength.

Nigerian-American striker Balogun, who scored twice in the opening match, played more of a playmaker role this time. In the 11th minute, he broke down the left side and delivered a cut-back pass, forcing Australian defender Burgess to score an own goal. For the second consecutive match, the US team's first goal came from an opponent's own goal—an unprecedented occurrence in World Cup history, reflecting extraordinary luck.

Just before halftime, Dest's shot was blocked, and Frieman, who was in an offside position, headed in the rebound to double the lead. The assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside, but after a VAR check, the referee overturned the decision and awarded the goal. Australia later protested that Balogun was in an offside position and involved in the play, arguing the goal should have been disallowed, but the result stood.

In the second half, the US maintained their high-intensity attack, while Australia brought on their previously rested first-match scorer Irankunda and Metcalfe. The pace was so fast that the referee suffered a cramp just before the final whistle, temporarily halting play.

Shortly before the match ended, Balogun and Souttar got into a physical altercation, causing a commotion. After the game, Australia questioned several key decisions, including the own goal by Burgess and multiple potential handball and yellow-card incidents in the second half.

Although the temperature during the match was only 24°C, the organizing committee still enforced two three-minute cooling breaks, one in each half. Fox television continued to force commercials during stoppage time, sparking strong dissatisfaction among fans.

Another awkward moment for the US team came during the pre-match national anthem: the committee played a version at double speed, leaving the US players confused as they tried to sing along. Fortunately, the post-match atmosphere was relaxed. Nearly 67,000 fans celebrated the early qualification, and the US players thanked the crowd as fans sang the classic folk song "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

The 21-year-old Freeman, who scored the goal, plays for Spanish La Liga side Villarreal, but his fame largely stems from his father Antonio, a former NFL star. In 1997, as a wide receiver, he won the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. Thirty years ago, his father scored two touchdowns in an NFL game in Seattle. Thirty years later, Freeman scored for the US team in the same city.

After the match, an emotional Freeman said, "For me, this is the perfect family honor. He is great, but I have proven my own greatness as well." Freeman's mother, a Liverpool fan, often calls her son "Little Arnold."

Freeman played basketball as a child, and his father once suggested he follow in his footsteps into American football. However, Freeman ultimately chose soccer, which he loved more. After six years with Orlando City, he joined Villarreal at the start of this year for a transfer fee of $7 million.

Pochettino highly values this winger, having called him up to the national team in May last year. Last November, Freeman scored twice against Uruguay and was nominated for the US Soccer Male Player of the Year award.