Heartbreak for Australia after 2-0 loss to USA, despite better second half — as it happened

Australia has made its first substitution of the game, with Jason Geria, Conor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda coming onto the pitch.

Nishan Velupillay, Cam Burgess and Mo Touré are off.

The second half is underway with the USA kicking off.

Let's see if Australia can inject fresh energy into this match.

— Miles Proust

To us, it looked offside. But VAR ruled it was onside.

Here's the moment the USA scored again off the scraps of a free kick.

— Madeleine Wedesweiler

Socceroos' assistant coach Paul Okon has just spoken, saying we can expect to see some "fresh legs" in the second half.

"We're struggling a little bit in the heat. We're not getting our line high enough to put pressure on the ball, but it's difficult," he says.

"We need to stay compact as much as possible, and then obviously try and have enough legs that once we get the ball."

— Miles Proust

Harry Kewell, part of SBS's presenter line-up, says the Socceroos have been "not good enough".

"It feels like we've frozen on the big stage," he says.

"We look panicky on the ball.

"We're just getting the ball and kicking it long where Toure has had no chance."

— Miles Proust

The Socceroos just have not been in this match, with the USA easily unpicking their defence, which held up so well against Türkiye.

Australia have been outplayed on every front.

USA have had 61 per cent possession, to Australia's 30 per cent and nine attempts on goal to Australia's two.

Both goals were unlucky — an own goal and offside goal overturned by VAR — but the USA created far more chances.

Popovic will no doubt be considering whether Irankunda can inject fresh energy into the game.

— Miles Proust

Australia's coach Tony Popovic is the only Australian to play for the side at a World Cup and then coach in one.

He was in the iconic 2006 squad, labelled the Socceroos' 'golden generation'.

Former colleagues have described Popovic's coaching style as intense, with a laser focus on fitness, nutrition, and defence.

Read more from our interview with Perth Glory media manager Gareth Morgan, who worked with Popovic during his time as manager of the A-League club from 2018 to 2020.

READ MORE

Who is Socceroos coach Tony Popovic? The story of Australia's World Cup history-maker

— Madeleine Wedesweiler

Another chance for the USA just before half-time is called, but the low strike is easily scooped up by Beach.

It's been a tough opening half for Australia, with the USA dominating possession and leading 2-0.

Australia will need to up the tempo if they want to get back into this match.

Source: SBS

_{— Miles Proust}

Seven minutes of stoppage time have been added as we approach half-time.

The USA have been under enormous pressure.

— Miles Proust

It's 2-0 for the USA.

The USA won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.

It's passed to the centre, with the shot coming from Sergiño Dest. It's deflected by an Australian defender, going high, before it's headed in by Alex Freeman.

It's called offside, but after a VAR check, it's given to the USA.

— Miles Proust

A nasty head knock between Freeman and Okon-Engstle has stopped play while the players are checked for concussion.

There's a large round of applause as the players get to their feet.

— Miles Proust

Source: SBS / Pranjali Sehgal

The watch event in Melbourne's CBD was full minutes after it opened at 4am.

—Samantha Jonscher

Yellow card for Circati after a bad challenge on a US attacker, raking his studs on the back of his calf.

Free kick for USA but it's headed out of danger by O'Neill.

Source: SBS

— Miles Proust

Look you may not want to relive this moment too many times.

An own goal by Australia put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute.

But it all happened so quickly it was a literal blur.

Here's that vision, exclusive to SBS:

— Madeleine Wedesweiler

Corner for the USA but it goes over everyone.

— Miles Proust

Play resumes with a goal kick from the USA.

USA is back on the attack, with a cross from the left flank going high and over the goal.

— Miles Proust

Australia has its best chance so far with Mat Leckie making a low cross towards Toure.

But it's blocked, resulting in a corner.

It's a high cross which Souttar heads towards goal but is parried away by the USA.

Another corner for Australia from the opposite side but the referee spots a foul in the box.

The drinks break is called, with the Socceroos receiving instructions from Popovic.

— Miles Proust

With the USA sitting top of Group D on goal difference, this match sets up several interesting scenarios for what comes next.

• Either team will secure their place in the Round of 32 with a victory.
• The USA will win the group by defeating Australia, provided Türkiye do not beat Paraguay later in the day. The USA have only won their World Cup group in 1930 and 2010.
• Australia will top the group with a win, and Türkiye winning or drawing against Paraguay. Australia have never topped their group.
• If it's a draw, the USA will remain on top and Australia second due to goal difference, regardless of the result between Türkiye and Paraguay. The Group D standings will then be decided in the final round of matches.
• If Australia lose, they could remain in second or slip to third, depending on the result between Türkiye and Paraguay. The final standings will then be decided in the final group matches.

The Group D winner will face the best third-placed team from one of five groups (Group B, E, F, I or J). They will also remain on the US west coast, with their Round of 32 match in Santa Clara, near San Francisco.

The runners-up will play the second-placed team from Group G (Belgium, Iran, New Zealand or Egypt) in Arlington, Texas.

— Miles Proust

USA have just had a great chance after Sergiño Dest made a flick down the right side. Velupillay wins it back but it's given away again, with Toure getting back to interrupt the US passage.

— Miles Proust

Source: SBS / Christopher Tan

Socceroos fans have gathered at Crown Perth's sports bar in Burwood.

The game kicked off at 3am AWST.

— Samantha Jonscher

Free for Australia after a messy tackle from the USA, which O'Neill tries to play immediately but is forced to retake.

Australia have been on the backfoot early in this game.

— Miles Proust