USA blanks Australia; Brazil scores

LOS ANGELES – The United States marched into the Last 32 of the World Cup on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Australia as Brazil rediscovered their scoring touch to eliminate Haiti.

A day after Mexico sealed their place in the knockout rounds, the USA emulated their fellow World Cup co-hosts with a clinical Group D win over Australia in Seattle.

A Cameron Burgess own goal in the 11th minute and a headed effort from Alex Freeman two minutes before half-time sealed a comfortable win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who have advanced to the second phase of the tournament with a game to spare.

In other games on Friday, Brazil took control of their destiny in Group C with a 3-0 victory over Haiti.

Paraguay remained alive in the tournament after their gritty 1-0 victory in Santa Clara that eliminated Turkey.

After an unconvincing build-up to the World Cup, the Americans have made a dream start to the tournament with Friday’s victory following a stylish 4-1 demolition of Paraguay in their opening game last week.

A day of celebration for the co-hosts got even better later Friday after Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey confirmed that the US would clinch top spot in Group D, ensuring a theoretically easier draw in the Last 32.

“It was a fantastic game again, very good first half,” Pochettino said. “I think we dominated the game against a very tough team.”