World Cup Day 9: USA qualifies, Brazil thrash and Paraguay pull off the shock

What looked massive turned out to be exactly that: Friday saw the World Cup's table-toppers get dumped, a Brazilian demolition job, a tournament shock, and a host nation that's selling a lot more than just shirts. Let's break it down.

USA 2-0 Australia: the host nation means business. The game of the day delivered. Own goal from Cameron Burgess (11') and, before half-time, the clincher from Alex Freeman (43') after VAR review. With the 2-0, Pochettino's USA —even without Pulisic— claim all three points, top the group and seal their spot in the Round of 16 (a day after Mexico became the tournament's first qualified side). The Argentine promised this would be competitive, and so far he's making everyone who dismissed them as mere hosts eat their words.

Brazil 3-0 Haiti: the 'Canary' side delivers (and without Neymar). Brazil needed to win to avoid soap opera mode after the 1-1 with Morocco, and they did it in style: Matheus Cunha brace (23' and 36') and the seal from Vinícius Júnior (45+3'). Ancelotti's men stay top of Group C —level with Morocco— and dump Haiti out. The only sour note: Raphinha's injury, withdrawn at 40': in the midst of the goal glut, a reminder that a World Cup is also won by keeping the medical staff busy.

Morocco 1-0 Scotland: the North Africans prove they're serious contenders. Fair warning: Morocco weren't bluffing. After holding Brazil, an early goal from Ismael Saibari —at 69 seconds— was enough to topple a Scotland side left badly battered. The Moroccans are now firmly in the fight for top spot in Group C.

Paraguay 1-0 Türkiye: the day's giant-killing upset. If football has a favourite day, it's this one. Matías Galarza struck early with the tournament's fastest goal —at 64 seconds, even beating Saibari's effort from earlier that afternoon— courtesy of Enciso's assist. Then came the drama: Almirón's red card just before the break forced the Albirroja to defend the entire second half with ten men, facing a Türkiye side that fired shot after shot at the wall and at Orlando Gill having the night of his life. A 1-0 win that feels like a final: Paraguay are alive, and the Turks (two losses, zero points) head off on holiday at precisely the worst moment.

Matchday 9 summary: one side qualified (USA), a leader strengthened (Brazil), a dark horse candidate emerging (Morocco) and Paraguay's shock result. The World Cup is firing on all cylinders.

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