MATTY Russell was named man of the match as Scotland kept their World Cup hopes alive with victory over USA - knocking Tonga out of the tournament.

The newly recruited Warrington Wolves full back scored the Bravehearts' second try as they turned round an 8-0 half-time deficit to run out convincing 22-8 victors in front of just over 6,000 supporters at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford.

Russell, who spent a season with Gold Coast Titans' under 20s in Australia after leaving Wigan at the end of the 2012 campaign, has now scored four World Cup tries and is the joint leading try scorer.

Scotland's other try scorers last night against the Group D winners were Brett Phillips, Luke Douglas and Alex Hurst.

The fate of Steve McNamara's men now lies in the hands of Italy. Currently Scotland are two points clear of Italy in Group C.

If Italy, with a +16 points difference that is only one point behind Scotland, defeat Tonga in Halifax on Sunday it means the Bravehearts will miss out on the quarter finals despite being unbeaten.

Tonga are now three points adrift of Scotland in Group C and therefore cannot finish top even if they win against the Azurri.