World Cup highlights: Brazil earn first win as co-hosts USA secure spot in knockouts

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Flashscore brings you daily coverage of the best moments from the previous day at the World Cup. Check out the highlights from Day 9:

Highlights of the day

To start the day, the USA returned to winning ways, picking up their second victory of the World Cup. After thrashing Paraguay, this time they beat Australia 2-0 in a direct clash between teams that had both won their openers. With this result, the Americans confirmed their return to the World Cup knockout stage.

With the result in Seattle, the USA achieved the historic feat of winning two consecutive matches in a single World Cup edition for the first time since 1930.

Next up, Morocco remained unbeaten by defeating Scotland and putting pressure on Brazil, their direct rival for the top spot. The 1-0 win came courtesy of Saibari, who scored his second goal of the tournament.

The third match was perhaps the most anticipated. Brazil had the task of improving on their opening performance, when they drew with Morocco.

Against Haiti, coach Carlo Ancelotti's team finally showed what they are capable of. Taking advantage of their opponent's weaknesses, Brazil won 3-0, with Matheus Cunha making the most of his start to convince the Italian coach of his place in the team.

Wrapping up Day 9, already in the early hours, we saw the fastest goal of this World Cup, with Galarza breaking Saibari's record from earlier in the day. The Paraguayan scored the only goal of the match to eliminate Turkey, setting up a direct showdown with Australia in the final round for a spot in the next stage.

The match also saw the first red card of the World Cup under FIFA's new rule, after Miguel Almiron shielded his mouth during an argument with an opponent.

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The day's early goals

Saibari of Morocco made his mark again at the World Cup. After scoring against Brazil, he needed just one minute and nine seconds to make Scotland taste their own medicine. Besides the accuracy of his shot, the play stood out for being, up to that point, the fastest goal of this World Cup edition.

The goal came after an assist from Brahim Diaz, who had also set him up against Brazil. Saibari became the first Moroccan player to score in two consecutive World Cup matches. Across all of Africa, only Mohamed Salah, in 2018, had achieved the same feat.

But the record for the fastest goal of this edition didn't last long. Galarza, from Paraguay, broke it with a goal against Turkey just one minute and four seconds into the match.

Player of the day

Cunha made the most of the opportunity given to him by Carlo Ancelotti. After starting on the bench against Morocco, he performed well against Haiti, scoring twice and boosting his chances of staying in Brazil's starting lineup for the next match.

Besides his goal-scoring instinct, Cunha also showed defensive ability, tracking back to help with marking and going beyond the usual duties of a centre forward.

"That's not the job of a number 9, but that's who I am," he said. Cunha received a rating of 9 according to Flashscore's criteria and looks set to remain in Ancelotti's team for the upcoming matches.

Social media highlight

German referee Felix Zwayer, who officiated the match between the USA and Australia, needed medical attention after suffering cramps at the end of the game. After a colleague helped him stretch, Mexican referee Katia Garcia brought him a miracle liquid, which quickly helped him recover.