Day 9 at a glance: Heroes, records and a red card
USA reached the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Brazil, Morocco and Paraguay hiked their hopes of joining them on Matchday 9.
Antonio Freeman scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI. Today, 30 years later, his son grabbed the soccer equivalent in the biggest game of his life. It was one that touched USA down in the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Brazil and Morocco took strides towards that target, Matheus Cunha striking twice on his first start in the competition and Ismael Saibari burying a banger, while Matias Galarza hiked Paraguay’s hopes on a day on which Haiti and Turkey were eliminated.
USA 2-0 Australia
Group D
Seattle Stadium
No poster boy, no problem. Mauricio Pochettino’s men pulled off a second straight W to storm into the last 32. Folarin Balogun forced Cameron Burgess into an own-goal that put USA ahead. Then, after Sergino Dest saw his shot cannon off an Australian and loop up into the air, the other American full-back Alex Freeman nodded it home. Australia now need a result against Paraguay.
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Group C
Boston Stadium
The angle was arduous. The ball was bouncing. Ismael Saibari required stainless technique to even get it on target. He combined that with titanic force and a dash of swerve to score one of the goals of this tournament. The Moroccans knocked on the Scottish door in search of a second, but Angus Gunn bodyguarded it impassably. Suddenly, Steve Clarke’s side surged but, despite some intricate build-up in the last 20 minutes, they failed to trouble Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group C
Philadelphia Stadium
Brazil are back and bubbling. After a forgettable first 90 in North America, Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao blew Sebastien Migne’s Grenadiers away in the first half. Vinicius Jr got a goal and an assist. Matheus Cunha bagged a brace. The only downside for Brazil was an injury to Raphinha. The upside for Haiti was an admirable second period in which they tormented their illustrious opponents.
Turkey 0-1 Paraguay
Group D
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Los Guaranies struck the quickest goal of this tournament and then defended with everything they had. If it was examining for Gustavo Alfaro’s team in the first period, it was, following Miguel Almiron’s red card on the break’s brink, even more so in the second. Despite Vincenzo Montella’s men registering over 30 shots, however, Orlando Gill was somehow able to keep a clean sheet. It was one that eliminated Turkey.
Stats
USA registered back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time in 96 years. The Americans beat Belgium and Paraguay in their first two games in the competition.
Brazil, with an average age of 30 years and 190 days, fielded their oldest starting XI since the 1962 final. Vinicius Jr, who will turn 26 next month, was Selecao’s youngest player.
Matias Galarza and Ismael Saibari registered the quickest goals of these global finals. The Paraguay midfielder scored after merely 64 seconds against Turkey, while the Morocco forward was on target after 69 against Scotland.
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