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The second round of Groups C and D of the produced four results on Friday that reshuffled the rankings and brought several teams closer to the Round of 16: the United States secured their spot as the top qualifier, Brazil answered the criticisms with a resounding victory, and Morocco continued to showcase their strength as a powerhouse.
United States 2-0 Australia
The hosts secured their qualification for the next round with a solid victory against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle, accumulating six points in two matches without conceding a single goal.
Without Christian Pulisic, out due to injury, Mauricio Pochettino's team found their most dangerous player in Folarin Balogun. The forward was involved in the play that led to the first goal: an attack down the left side that ended with Australian defender Cameron Burgess sending the ball into his own net in the 11th minute.
Alexander Freeman extended the lead at the 43rd minute, although the goal required a VAR review before being confirmed.
In the second half, the United States managed the outcome effortlessly against an Australia that found no offensive answers at any point in the match.
Morocco 1-0 Scotland
Los Leones del Atlas defeated Scotland at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough with one of the fastest goals of the tournament: Ismael Saibari finished a collective play of 18 passes, assisted by Brahim Díaz, just 71 seconds into the match.
That lead was enough for Morocco to comfortably control the match. Scotland had more possession at times, but they didn't create any real threat on the Moroccan goal.
With four points, the Africans are leading Group C and are one step away from confirming their qualification, reinforcing that their historic semifinal in Qatar 2022 was not an accident.
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
The reaction that the Brazilian fans were asking for arrived in Philadelphia. After the draw in their debut against Morocco, the Canarinha, led by Carlo Ancelotti defeated Haiti 3-0 with all the work completed in the first half.
Matheus Cunha scored a brace in the 23rd and 36th minutes, and Vinícius Júnior sealed the deal right before halftime.
Brazil pressed high, capitalized on Haiti's defensive mistakes, and regained the effectiveness that had been lacking in their debut. The only concern was the injury of Raphinha, whose recovery will be monitored by medical staff.
With four points, Brazil shares the top of Group C alongside Morocco.
Paraguay 1-0 Turkey
Paraguay kept its hopes alive with a last-minute victory against Turkey in Santa Clara. Matías Galarza scored in the second minute with an assist from Julio Enciso, and the Paraguayans defended that lead even with ten men after Miguel Almirón was sent off just before halftime.
The defeat mathematically eliminated Turkey with two losses in two matches. Paraguay, which returned to the World Cup after 16 years, enters the final day with three points and a real chance of advancing.
This is how the groups are arranged
In Group D: The United States leads with six points, Australia and Paraguay each have three points, and Turkey is eliminated. In C: Morocco and Brazil are at the top with four points, Scotland has three, and Haiti remains without any points.
The final matchday of Group C will see Morocco facing Haiti and Scotland taking on Brazil, while in Group D, Australia and Paraguay will compete for the second ticket to the knockout stage.
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