The second round of group-stage fixtures continues on Friday evening as co-hosts USA take on Australia in the first of four matches on day nine of the World Cup, with Brazil and Morocco both in action overnight.
USA 2-0 Australia (FT)
Scotland vs Morocco – 00:00 CET
Brazil vs Haiti – 02:30 CET
Turkey vs Paraguay – 05:00 CET
23:25 CET – Moving to Boston and Group C, the second match of the evening sees Morocco looking for their first win of the World Cup against Scotland, who edged past Haiti in their opener. Kick-off is at midnight.
Just like the prior game, you will be able to follow every kick with our LIVE audio commentary via the link above!
23:04 CET – That’s all she wrote in Seattle, and the USA have beaten Australia 2-0 thanks to two first-half goals. Read our full match report here!
Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Chants of USA, USA, ring round the ground as their side book their spot in the last-32 with the win over Australia. Not as dominant as against Paraguay, but a solid performance with more room to grow."
Socceroos boss Tony Popovic made some questionable changes to his XI for the match, and it’s safe to say they didn’t work with him bringing on the heroes from the Turkey win at half-time.
That sparked the Aussies into action a bit, but the dominance of the USMNT in the first 45 minutes was more than enough to see them home and safely into the second round after two wins from two.
All in all, it’s the perfect start to the tournament for the co-hosts. Next up for them is a clash with Turkey, and they seem to have some real momentum now!
22:50 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Australia are making an effort to get back into the contest, with Jackson Irvine on to make his trademark runs from deep. It's making a difference, but the final ball is lacking as time ticks away."
22:45 CET – Today's second match sees Scotland taking on Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, from midnight. You can see the starting lineups for that Group C clash below.
Steve Clarke has made a couple of changes after the Scots' unconvincing 1-0 win over Haiti, reverting to a one-striker system, with Nathan Patterson and Kieran Tierney coming into the side. Morocco are unchanged from their 1-1 draw with Brazil. Notably, Achraf Hakimi starts despite his pending rape trial.
22:35 CET – We are heading into the second-half's hydration break, and it is just feeling like Australia are starting to build some momentum with four fresh bodies on, including Cristian Volpato, who joined the three half-time substitutes.
Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Tweaks for Australia now as they try and find a way back into this with the USA looking slightly tired. Volpato, who played for Italy's youth sides, is on for his competitive debut, and he's making an impact. Quick feet and some pace to boot, the ball needs to go through him if the Socceroos can mount a stunning comeback."
22:25 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Tony Popovic has rolled the dice once again with those three half-time changes, but it hasn't changed the pattern of this game. The USA are in control – they've lowered the tempo from that opening burst, a more professional approach that will, as things stand, see them qualify for the round of 32 with a game to spare."
22:10 CET – The second half is getting started in Seattle, and Tony Popovic is indeed ringing the changes with three substitutes coming on for Australia. The goalscorers from the Turkey win, Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, are both on, along with defender Jason Geria.
The own-goal scorer, Cameron Burgess, Nishan Velupillay, and Mohamed Toure are all off.
22:00 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Questions were asked before kick-off about how the US would fare without their star man, Christian Pulisic. They've answered them in a first half where they've blown Australia away. Pushing men up to Australia’s back five, they've not allowed them much space to play or counter. A defeat for the Socceroos is no disaster today, given last week’s win over Turkey, but they can't let this turn into a rout."
21:54 CET – That’s half-time in Seattle, and the USMNT lead the Socceroos 2-0 after an early own goal from Cameron Burgess, and a second from Alex Freeman late in the half.
There haven’t been loads of big chances. In fact, the USA have only hit the target twice, but they have dominated almost every other metric so far: 70 per cent possession, nine shots to two, and most importantly, the scoreline.
The Australians look to be lacking ideas to respond, meaning Tony Popovic will simply have to make changes in order to turn this one around.
21:45 CET – THE USA HAVE A SECOND! After a video review, Alex Freeman has scored a goal for the US that was initially ruled out for offside. Freeman reacted well to head home a deflected shot that looped up high to leave the Australian keeper, Patrick Beach, in no man's land.
21:40 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Under 10 minutes to go before the break, and you feel Tony Popovic’s selection gambles have not paid off. Australia are missing the industry and unpredictability of Nestory Irankunda – you'd think he will be on the field in the second half."
21:35 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "The party has moved from LA to Seattle, and the USMNT are riding the crest of a wave. Quicker into the tackle, smooth passing, and that pace is keeping this crowd well engaged in this game. Mauricio Pochettino is matching it on the touchline, constantly shouting instructions. They have to be wary of Australia's own speed merchants, but as we go past the first hydration break, it's been a dream start for the hosts."
21:25 CET – At the hydration break, the USA lead Australia 1-0 thanks to Cameron Burgess’ own goal. It must be said that the hosts are well on top so far, with the Socceroos camped deep in their own half for the most part and unable to hang onto the ball for long or effectively counter too much. That will remain their game plan, however – soak up the pressure and look to grab an equaliser.
21:11 CET – USA HAVE SCORED EARLY! After sitting in very deep for the early stages, Australia have conceded through an own goal from Cameron Burgess after he inadvertently cleared the ball into his net, following a teasing cross.
Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "Pace is always a problem, and the USA score early down to the speed of Folarin Balogun. He gets in behind, cuts it back, and there's really little Burgess can do but put it in his own net. The stadium erupted after the goal, a fanbase passionate about their side and about the game. What Australia do next will be very telling. Will they step out and play, allowing the US more space, or stay compact?"
21:06 CET – Josh Donaldson at Seattle Stadium: "As expected, Australia have started in their familiar low block with nine behind the ball and Mohamed Toure the lone striker. Interestingly, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are partnered in a front two, rather than the slated 4-2-3-1."
21:00 CET – We are underway in Seattle! As always, we will have major updates for you here, or you can follow every kick of the match with our LIVE audio commentary via the link above.
20:45 CET – We are only about 15 minutes from kick-off between the USA and Australia in Seattle, for what is just the second match at this venue at the World Cup. The first was Belgium and Egypt's 1-1 draw in Group G back on Monday.
Here's hoping for more goals this evening, and hopefully, a victor! In case you didn't know, both these sides won their openers: USA thashed Paraguay 4-1, while Australia beat Turkey 2-0.
19:50 CET – Teams are in for the USMNT vs Australia game, and the big news is that USA superstar Christian Pulisic has been ruled out of the clash through a reported calf injury. It's a huge blow to the co-hosts just when everything was looking positive for Mauricio Pochettino's side. See the full XIs below.
Josh Donaldson reports live from Seattle Stadium: "After wins in their opening games, both the USA and Australia will be in confident mood for today's clash.
"Tony Popovic made some big calls in his team selection before the first game against Turkey; he's done the same today. Goalscorers Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda both drop to the bench as the Socceroos roll the dice again. For Mauricio Pochettino, he is without Christian Pulisic – 'Captain America' – through injury.
"It's been chaos in Seattle this morning, bars filled since 7 am local time, and inside this cavernous stadium, it's going to feel like a knockout game. Let's hope the game lives up to the intensity!"
17:20 CET – With over three hours until the first game of the day begins, let's take a look at tonight's first match.
First up from 21:00 CET, co-hosts USA will look to continue the momentum from an impressive opening win against Paraguay.
USA played with an attacking fluidity that will have excited their fans, and if they can recreate that tonight, then expect the crowd to play their part again. Getting their home fans going by entertaining them feels like the USA's best hope of a deep run at this World Cup.
However, we know from Australia's opening game that their opposition will be more than happy to let them dominate the ball. So, Mauricio Pochettino's side must be wary of Australia's energetic and lightning-fast forward line – one that includes exciting talent Nestory Irankunda.
15:15 CET – There is plenty of time before the first fixture today, with USA vs Australia kicking off in just under six hours. If you are finding the time boring, why don't you check out some of our latest World Cup features?
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Ayyoub Bouaddi is Morocco’s new midfield maestro ready to tame Scotland
Switzerland rewrite World Cup history books as substitutes make late impact
The key stats behind Qatar's World Cup mauling at the hands of rampant co-hosts Canada
England's World Cup Week review: Tuchel's Three Lions entertain in statement win
13:00 CET – After the drama and excitement of last night, the World Cup returns at the slightly later time of 21:00 CET this evening as co-hosts USA take on Australia.
Both nations won their opening game in Group D in impressive fashion, and whilst the United States will be slight favourites in front of their supporters, this feels as hard a game to predict as it gets at this tournament.
Before we get into some preview content throughout the day, be sure to check out yesterday's daily highlights and relive all the action from yesterday's live blog.
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