USA joined their co-hosts Mexico, who had qualified the day earlier, in the knockout stages with a clinical 2-0 win over Australia in their FIFA World Cup Group D clash. Morocco also moved in closer to place in the knockout stages when they edged Scoland 1-0 in their match-up.
Australia must now defeat Paraguay in a do-or-die clash on Thursday to be absolutely sure of continuing their journey.
Without injured talisman attacker Christian Pulisic, who failed to recover from a calf issue in time, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino switched to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing in second striker Ricardo Pepi.
For the second game running, the US were gifted an early lead, thanks to an own goal in the 11th minute.
Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline.
Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net.
Having surprisingly dropped both goalscorers from their impressive opening win over Turkey, Australia looked toothless.
The US controlled possession and were lively and dynamic on the attack, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest combining well down the right flank.
Alex Freeman doubled the US lead in the 44th minute from what was surprisingly his team’s first shot on target.
Taking a free-kick from the right byline, Antonee Robinson ignored the scrum in the box and played the ball to Sergino Dest, wide open in the D, whose blocked shot looped up into the air.
Freeman – son of Super Bowl-winning NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman – was first to the ball, heading it past Patrick Beach. The offside flag went up. But it was overturned by VAR, and the stadium rocked for a second a time.
Australia made three changes at the break – sending on Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, the goalscorers against Turkey – and pushed higher up the field.
They were nearly caught out immediately. Balogun raced onto a through ball for a one-on-one chance, but his shot was blocked after a heavy touch.
Australia’s best chance so far came in the 62nd minute. The dangerous Cristian Volpato – who switched allegiance from Italy to Australia on the eve of the tournament – skied his shot from Irankunda’s cut-back pass.
With the US sitting back, Metcalfe had a shot saved, a rampaging Irankunda was brought down by Richards, and Jason Geria’s close-range effort was blocked in a nervy final phase for the hosts.
Fastest goal for Morocco
Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0.
Saibari scored in Morocco’s opening 1-1 draw with Brazil last weekend and his clinical finish with just over a minute gone settled a hard-fought, physical contest watched by a crowd of 64,146 at the Boston Stadium.
With four points from two games, Morocco are now primed to advance to the last 32 as they aim to at least match their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.
However, it was a sobering evening for Scotland and their army of fans who have taken over Boston during this FIFA World Cup, as their team never really tested Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Moroccan head coach Mohamed Ouahbi went with an unchanged starting line-up here following the Brazil clash, but opposite number Steve Clarke made three changes.
Clarke sought to reinforce his defence, meaning striker Lawrence Shankland dropped out as defender Kieran Tierney came into the side to make a back five.
But that was of little use as Morocco went ahead practically from kick-off.
The assist came from Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Grant Hanley played Saibari onside as the latter latched onto the ball over the top, controlled and rifled high into the net.
Morocco, who defeated Scotland 3-0 when the teams met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, threatened to overrun their opponents every time they got forward but were wasteful, with Bilal El Khannouss squandering a good chance on 36 minutes.
Scotland were as stodgy in attack as they have been for a long time, and it took until first-half stoppage time for them to create anything dangerous.
That was a cross whipped in from the left by skipper Andy Robertson that John McGinn was unable to make anything of, and the opening period ended without Bounou needing to make a save.
Morocco hit the woodwork five minutes into the second half as Saibari met a cutback by El Khannouss and his attempt was deflected onto the bar by Jack Hendry.
Moments later Gunn made a fine stop to keep out an El Khannouss header from a corner taken by Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco nevertheless seemed content to see the game out and soak up what Scotland could throw at them.
Ryan Christie fired over on 64 minutes after being teed up by Scott McTominay, who hit the side-netting late on, but a Scotland goal proved elusive.
