Co-hosts USA booked their place in the World Cup knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over Australia in Group D, becoming the second nation to reach the round of 32 after Mexico.

Playing at CenturyLink Field in Seattle in front of 66,925 fans, Mauricio Pochettino's side backed up their opening 4-1 demolition of Paraguay with another polished performance to put their tournament credentials beyond doubt.

Burgess own goal opens the scoring

The breakthrough came as early as the 11th minute, when Folarin Balogun — who had netted twice against Paraguay — drove a cut-back into the area that Australia defender Cameron Burgess could only turn into his own net.

The second arrived in circumstances that required VAR to intervene. Defender Alex Freeman initially had a headed goal ruled out for offside after nodding home Serginio Dest's deflected shot from a corner, but the video review overturned the linesman's flag and the goal stood — just before half-time.

Australia unable to find a way back

Head coach Tony Popovic responded by making a triple substitution at the interval, sending on Cristian Volpato and Connor Metcalfe among others, but neither could seriously threaten USA goalkeeper Matt Freese. Volpato fired a good chance over the bar in the 62nd minute, while Metcalfe shot straight at Freese three minutes later.

Balogun squandered a one-on-one opportunity to put the game to bed in the 52nd minute, and Dest tested Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beech with a low effort deep in stoppage time, but the scoreline held at 2-0.

Three late bookings in the closing stages reflected fraying tempers as the match wound down, though they did nothing to dampen the mood in Seattle. USA advance through Group D in commanding fashion, with their knockout round opponents still to be determined.