USA reach the knockouts early as Brazil and Morocco seize control of Group C
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The United States booked their place in the knockout round with a game to spare, beating Australia 2-0 in Seattle. An own goal by Cameron Burgess put the hosts ahead inside the opening quarter-hour and Alex Freeman headed the second, according to NPR, with the USMNT reaching the last 32 early for the first time in their World Cup history.
Brazil found their rhythm with a 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia, Matheus Cunha scoring twice and Vinícius Júnior adding a goal and an assist. ESPN reported Carlo Ancelotti's side controlling the game throughout to strengthen their position in Group C.
Morocco took a major step in the same group, beating Scotland 1-0 in Boston through Ismael Saibari's strike inside the opening two minutes — the fastest goal of the tournament so far, set up by Brahim Díaz. The defeat, in which Scott McTominay was denied a penalty appeal per match reports, leaves Scotland's qualification hopes in the balance.
The Group D programme was completed later in the day by Türkiye against Paraguay, the night's final fixture on a schedule dominated by the hosts' progress and the tightening Group C race.
Transfer and squad notes
Christian Pulisic sat out the Australia game with a calf injury, manager Mauricio Pochettino confirming Ricardo Pepi started in his place; the captain's fitness for the USA's final group match is the immediate watch.
Morocco's match-winner Saibari produced his moment while his club future is being finalised, with the midfielder reported to be completing a move from PSV to Bayern Munich — form and transfer news converging for one of the tournament's risers.
What it means for the league
Day 9 confirmed the strength of the host nations' starts: the USA join Mexico in the round of 32, with Canada also on the brink, an unusually strong collective showing from the three co-hosts. Group C, meanwhile, is breaking Brazil and Morocco's way, piling pressure on Scotland and Haiti before the final round of group games. With qualification places beginning to lock in, the shape of the expanded knockout bracket is coming into focus.