Thanks for joining us
Thank you for joining us. We're wrapping up our coverage of the Socceroos 2-0 loss to the USA.
The Socceroos will next play Paraguay at 12pm Friday 26 June (AEST) at Santa Clara, near San Francisco.
There's plenty of other World Cup action today:
- 8am: Scotland v Morocco
- 10.30am: Brazil v Haiti
- 1pm: Türkiye v Paraguay
You can watch all of the World Cup live and free on SBS or SBS On Demand.
— Miles Proust
What's next for the Socceroos?
The USA will top Group D provided Türkiye do not beat Paraguay later in the day.
Australia could qualify for the knockout rounds with a second-or third-place finish.
Türkiye and Paraguay lost their opening games and are playing later today.
If the match is a draw, Australia will remain in second place.
If Türkiye win, Australia will remain in second place because they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Türkiye after beating them 2-0 in their opening game.
If Paraguay win, they will move level with Australia on three points, but Australia will remain second unless Paraguay win by four or more goals, which would put them ahead on goal difference.
The final standings will then be decided in the final match.
Australia will take on Paraguay next at 12pm Friday 26 June (AEST).
If Australia can stay in second place, the Socceroos will face the second-placed teams from Group G (Belgium, Iran, New Zealand or Egypt).
If they qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, it becomes hard to predict their opponent because that will hinge on what happens in other groups.
— Samantha Jonscher
Watch: USA v Australia highlights
Popovic speaks after loss
Tony Popovic has just spoken after the loss.
"We looked sluggish, heavy-legged," he said to SBS.
"They won every second ball, and when you do that, it's very difficult to get any gain any momentum.
"We conceded two soft goals, but I thought the reaction in the second half was outstanding.
"We did very well in the second half, we were very aggressive, we won all the duels."
Asked about the refereeing and the second USA that was given after a VAR check he said: "I'm not sure on that one."
"Unfortunately that didn't go our way.
"Today wasn't the best day for the referee.
"We felt frustrated today with the referees."
— Miles Proust
Stats at full time
Australia finished the game with 30 per cent possession to the USA's 61 per cent (with nine per cent contested).
The USA had nine attempts at goal to Australia's two.
— Miles Proust
Positives to take away
While it's not the result Australia was after, Harry Kewell says there were positives to take away from the second half.
"It was just disappointing that we didn't have this energy in the first half," he said.
"You need to play constantly at 100 per cent, you need to go for it.
"You have to go and attack, and I thought when we did that, it we looked dangerous."
— Miles Proust
Should Irankunda have started?
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic opted for some surprising selections and no doubt the most scrutinised will be keeping young star forward Nestory Irankunda on the bench in the first half.
He was able to break through and set up a ball on a plate for fellow sub Christian Volpato, who unfortunately skied it.
Former Socceroo and broadcasting legend Craig Foster told SBS the decision not to start Irankunda had a high cost.
"I'm not sure why, Popa kept, Irankunda on the bench, given that he was so brilliant in the first game. And the importance of the game against Turkiye was we went one-nil up instead of one-nil down.
"That's critical when you have a defensive style of play. So, you know, I think that decision has probably cost him. He's come on now in the second half to try and chase the game again. That's the most difficult position to be in."
— Haylena Krishnamoorthy
FT: USA win 2-0
The final whistle is blown, and the USA win 2-0 after a clinical display, despite a much better second half by the Socceroos.
— Miles Proust
89' Another head clash
Another head clash after Irankunda and Scally go for the ball in the air.
A foul is given against Australia.
Six minutes of added time.
— Miles Proust
Ref down
Richards is given a yellow after a block on Irankunda sends him to the ground.
Meanwhile the referee has gone down, with what looks like a cramp!
He's helped out by players and other referees who help stretch his leg, and he's given pickle juice.
— Miles Proust
87' Circati shot
The USA are struggling to hold possession, with Italiano crossing to Souttar, who is beaten by Richards.
Circati takes a shot but it goes over.
— Miles Proust
84' Irankunda goes down, another chance
Irankunda goes down in the box but no penalty.
A corner for Australia goes over everyone, but it's knocked back in.
Souttar has a sitter but misses the ball completely.
It lands at Geria's feet, and Geria takes a shot, but it's blocked by the USA.
Desperate defending from the USA there.
— Miles Proust
81' Australia running out of time
With 10 minutes of regular time left, Australia are running out of time.
The USA have made a sub with Robinson and Sergiño Dest off, and Auston Trusty and Joe Scally on.
— Miles Proust
76' Volpato looking dangerous
Volpato has been looking dangerous since coming on, making a run against the USA defence in the goal area.
He makes the cross but it's blocked and cleared.
Australia has made another sub with Jackson Irvine coming on for Okon-Engstler.
— Miles Proust
73' Australia pressing
Australia are looking much better in the second half, pressing the USA's defence.
Irankunda shoves Ream and a foul is given.
Meanwhile, the USA have Ricardo Pepi for Sebastian Berhalter.
— Miles Proust
68' Drinks break called
The second half drinks break is called, but not before Irankunda goes down after a shove from Chris Richards.
— Miles Proust
65' Another chance for Australia
Another good passage of play for Australia, with Volpato pressing the USA defence.
A poor clearance sees the ball land at Australia's feet, with a pass to Metcalfe making a shot on goal that is saved.
— Miles Proust
62' Australia's best chance!
Australia has just had its best chance, with a quick counter from Irankunda!
Irankunda breaks free down the right flank after a nice through ball.
He cuts across, but the USA is able to get players behind the ball.
Irankunda passes to Volpato, who has an open shot, but it goes over.
A missed chance but Australia is looking much better in the second half.
— Miles Proust
60' Leckie down
Mat Leckie is down with what looks like a hamstring injury.
He comes off for Cristian Volpato, now playing his first minutes in this World Cup.
— Miles Proust
It's not over for Australia
The Socceroos might be down by two but it's not over for the green and gold.
Nestory Irankunda — who scored against Türkiye — has come on for the second half and is already making serious challenges for a goal.
They still have nearly half an hour to turn this around.
— Samantha Jonscher
56' Yellow card for Robinson
Robinson has been shown a yellow card after Italino is collected while they both go for the ball.
— Miles Proust
51' Chance for USA on counter
A nice passage of play from Australia has resulted in a quick counterattack from the USA after they cough up possession.
After a nice through ball, Balogan breaks free and for a free run towards goal.
Circati comes from nowhere to intercept for a block, resulting in a corner.
Australia was lucky there.
— Miles Proust
49' Free kick USA
Free kick for the USA after Circati clips a USA player during a challenge.
He needs to be careful here; he's already received a yellow card.
A second booking and he will be sent off, leaving Australia with just ten players.
— Miles Proust
