The Socceroos have been brought back down to earth in brutal fashion at the World Cup, suffering a demoralising and costly 2-0 defeat to the United States.
Australia's hopes of progression and sealing a top-two berth will come down to their final group match against Paraguay on June 25 (June 26 AEST) after a nightmare afternoon at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
Coach Tony Popovic's call to bench Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, who scored in Australia's opening 2-0 win over Turkey, for Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie backfired as the US dominated.
The US, without injured star Christian Pulisic, battered Australia on and off the ball all day and took the lead in the 11th minute when defender Cameron Burgess turned a wicked ball from Folarin Balogun into his own net.
Alex Freeman then dealt the Socceroos a hammer blow by bundling home a header - that was initially ruled offside but cleared by VAR - to double the co-hosts' lead in the 43rd.
Popovic turned to Irankunda and Metcalfe at halftime but Australia could not claw their way back into the match, while Leckie hobbled off injured on the hour mark to add to the horror afternoon.
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