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

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

"I deliberation coming was, I wouldn’t opportunity nan champion time for nan referee," Popovic told reporters aft nan game.

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

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

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

Tensions boiled complete precocious successful nan lucifer erstwhile a beingness altercation collapsed out. Australia's Harry Souttar grabbed nan USA's Folarin Balogun successful what commentators described arsenic a "rear naked choke." Zwayer regained power by issuing yellowish cards to Balogun, Souttar and Australia's Jacob Italiano.

Australia received 4 yellowish cards, while nan U.S. received three.

Popovic was seen approaching German lucifer charismatic Felix Zwayer aft nan game, pinch urgency.

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

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

Still, nan head did springiness in installments to nan Americans and admitted his players looked "sluggish" connected Friday.

"I don't cognize if it's nan occasion, but we looked sluggish, heavy-legged ... They won each duel, they won each 2nd shot and erstwhile you do that, it makes it very difficult to summation immoderate momentum. And past we conceded 2 soft goals," he said.

"When you think, you know, this noise present — big nation — I deliberation nan players show really bully they are successful nan 2nd half, but evidently astatine this level, you can't springiness distant that overmuch successful nan first."

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

With its 2-0 record, nan United States is successful first spot pinch six points, while Australia remains pinch 3 and successful 2nd place. Both Paraguay and Turkey, who look disconnected connected Friday to perchance find nan USA's group fate, are winless pinch zero points.

The United States would clinch a Group D victory, and a favorable tie successful nan Round of 32, if Paraguay either thumps aliases ties pinch Turkey — that crippled kicks disconnected astatine 11 p.m. ET.