Australia World Cup manager Tony Popovic calls out referee after big loss to Team USA

Australia manager Tony Popovic shared his thoughts connected a referee aft Friday's 2-0 nonaccomplishment to the U.S. successful Seattle.

"I deliberation contiguous was, I wouldn’t accidental the champion time for the referee," Popovic told reporters aft the game.

A arguable infinitesimal came erstwhile the Americans appeared to people their 2nd goal. The play was initially called backmost for offside, but aft a VAR review, officials determined the extremity was valid and fto it stand.

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Tony Popovic, caput manager of Australia, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D lucifer betwixt the U.S. and Australia astatine Seattle Stadium successful Seattle, Wash., connected June 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/FIFA/Getty Images)

The U.S. recovered the backmost of the nett astatine the extremity of the 43rd infinitesimal aft a escaped footwear was stopped, and past Alex Freeman, the lad of erstwhile NFL subordinate Antonio Freeman, headed a shot in. The people was instantly protested by the Australians, who felt their goalkeeper had been impeded oregon determination was an offside. After a VAR review, the telephone stood, and the extremity was awarded.

Tensions boiled implicit precocious successful the lucifer erstwhile a carnal altercation broke out. Australia's Harry Souttar grabbed the USA's Folarin Balogun successful what commentators described arsenic a "rear bare choke." Zwayer regained power by issuing yellowish cards to Balogun, Souttar and Australia's Jacob Italiano.

Australia received 4 yellowish cards, portion the U.S. received three.

Popovic was seen approaching German lucifer authoritative Felix Zwayer aft the game, with urgency.

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United States' Alex Freeman heads the shot for a extremity past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D shot lucifer successful Seattle connected June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)

Zwayer besides pulled up with a cramp towards the extremity of the USA’s win. The German official, 45, required assistance from some the USA’s Folarin Balogun and Australia's Aiden O'Neill, who stretched retired his near limb aft Zwayer fell to the turf.

Still, the manager did springiness recognition to the Americans and admitted his players looked "sluggish" connected Friday.

"I don't cognize if it's the occasion, but we looked sluggish, heavy-legged ... They won each duel, they won each 2nd shot and erstwhile you bash that, it makes it precise hard to summation immoderate momentum. And past we conceded 2 brushed goals," helium said.

"When you think, you know, this sound present — big federation — I deliberation the players amusement however bully they are successful the 2nd half, but evidently astatine this level, you can't springiness distant that overmuch successful the first."

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FIFA ref Felix Zwayer going down with cramps was a reminder of conscionable however physically demanding being a shot referee is. (Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

With its 2-0 record, the United States is successful archetypal spot with six points, portion Australia remains with 3 and successful 2nd place. Both Paraguay and Turkey, who look disconnected connected Friday to perchance find the USA's radical fate, are winless with zero points.

The United States would clinch a Group D victory, and a favorable gully successful the Round of 32, if Paraguay either beats oregon ties with Turkey — that crippled kicks disconnected astatine 11 p.m. ET.