World Cup Day 9 produced four results that reshaped the landscape of the tournament’s second round.
The United States clinched their group without their star player. Morocco ended Scotland’s momentum in under two minutes. Brazil found their finishing touch through Matheus Cunha. A red card was shown for covering a mouth, confirming that football’s newest rule is already rewriting matches. By the time the final whistle sounded in Santa Clara, Turkey were out of the World Cup and Paraguay were very much alive.
1. USA Through — And Freeman Takes Centre Stage
Without Christian Pulisic, sidelined with a calf injury, the United States beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle to reach the Round of 32 as the second team to qualify from the group stage after Mexico.
Folarin Balogun forced the opener in the 11th minute when his cut-back was turned into his own net by Australia defender Cameron Burgess. “I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “If I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like a goal as well.”
The second goal came from an unlikely source. Defender Alex Freeman headed home Sergiño Dest’s deflected shot from a USA corner, with VAR overturning an initial offside call to confirm the goal. Freeman is 21, the youngest player in the squad and the son of NFL legend Antonio Freeman. Two goals and a clean sheet in Seattle. Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman were also strong throughout, but it was Freeman who stood out as the match’s defining performer.
Australia made three substitutions at half-time under Tony Popovic, but could not meaningfully threaten Matt Freese in the USA goal. The Socceroos now face Paraguay in their final group match, with qualification still in their hands.
2. Saibari Strikes After 70 Seconds — Scotland’s Qualification In Doubt
Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the tournament after just 70 seconds, as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston to move top of Group C with four points.
Brahim Díaz lofted a precise ball into the right channel, Saibari hunted it down and volleyed superbly across goalkeeper Angus Gunn with barely a minute on the clock. It is Saibari’s second goal of the tournament — he also scored against Brazil in the opening match.
Scotland, who arrived in Boston having beaten Haiti in their opener, were rattled from the first minute and never recovered their composure. They took 46 minutes to register their first shot at goal and finished the match with zero shots on target. John McGinn and Scott McTominay both appealed for penalties in the second half, with neither awarded. Ryan Christie blazed the ball over from close range with Scotland’s best chance of the match.
In the 76th minute, the Tartan Army inside Boston Stadium observed a minute’s applause in tribute to fan Donny Strathie, 76, who died in Boston earlier in the week. It was a poignant moment in a difficult evening. Scotland still have a chance — they face Brazil in their final group game, knowing a result could take them through.
3. Cunha’s Brace Gives Ancelotti Answers
Brazil returned to winning ways with a composed 3-0 victory over Haiti in Philadelphia, eliminating the Caribbeans from the tournament and providing Carlo Ancelotti with the convincing result his side needed after their opening draw with Morocco.
Matheus Cunha, who replaced Igor Thiago in the starting XI, scored twice — a scrappy opener in the 23rd minute after a Vinicius pass and a weak clearance by Haiti’s goalkeeper, and a stunning second finish in the 36th minute. Vinicius Júnior added the third with a composed one-on-one finish in first-half stoppage time.
Lucas Paquetá was influential in the 64 minutes he played, and Brazil’s first half was as clinical as they have been at this tournament. Haiti — who had seven shots themselves but without the quality to convert — were eliminated. Their brief but spirited World Cup campaign ends here.
Group C now has genuine drama for the final round. Morocco lead on four points, Scotland and Brazil sit on three each. A Scotland draw with Brazil and a Morocco win over Haiti would eliminate the five-time champions on goal difference — a scenario that currently cannot be entirely ruled out.
4. Almirón Sees Red For Covering His Mouth — Paraguay Survive
Paraguay beat a wasteful Turkey 1-0 in Santa Clara after one of the most controversial red cards seen at a major tournament in years.
Matías Galarza struck a left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner after just 65 seconds — the fastest goal of this World Cup, set up by Enciso’s flick-on. Turkey came agonisingly close to an immediate equaliser when Müldür’s towering header hit the crossbar and then the upright.
Then came the incident that will dominate the discussion. In first-half stoppage time, VAR intervened after Miguel Almirón covered his mouth while saying something to Müldür. Under new IFAB rules introduced this season, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card. Almirón was dismissed.
Turkey dominated from that point — finishing with 32 shots, five on target, 67 per cent possession — and scored none of them. It is the third consecutive match in which Turkey have had more than 28 shots and failed to win. Uzun’s 18-yard effort in the 89th minute was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gil, and the rebound was missed to confirm Turkey’s elimination.
Paraguay held on with ten men for over 45 minutes to earn three points that put them level with Australia ahead of their final group match — a winner-takes-all fixture for the second qualification spot in Group D.
Group Standings After Day 9
Group C: Morocco 4pts, Scotland 3pts, Brazil 3pts, Haiti 0pts (eliminated)
Group D: USA 6pts (qualified), Australia 3pts, Paraguay 3pts, Turkey 0pts (eliminated)
Day 9 Results
USA 2-0 Australia | Morocco 1-0 Scotland | Brazil 3-0 Haiti | Turkey 0-1 Paraguay
Read more – World Cup Day 8: Mexico Qualify, Canada Make History, Switzerland Impress
Also see – World Cup favourites ranked after the First Round
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