Australia Secure Knockout Spot After Cautious Goalless Draw With Paraguay

Australia Secure Knockout Spot After Cautious Goalless Draw With Paraguay

The expanded tournament format, which allows eight of the 12 third-place teams to advance, led to a cautious approach from both sides in their final Group D match. The winner of this game was assured second place behind the United States, with Australia also clinching that spot with a draw thanks to a better goal differential than Paraguay . But the draw that gave Paraguay four points in the group was also likely to be enough to secure one of the best third-place positions.

Australia made the brighter start at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and almost profited after four minutes when Jackson Irvine met a crisp move involving Alessandro Circati and Cristian Volpato, drawing a low save from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Jordan Bos then forced another save from Gill after cutting inside from the right, while Volpato curled an effort at the goalkeeper.

Irvine guided a header over the crossbar from Bos' cross in stoppage time as the teams went into the break scoreless.

Paraguay returned with greater urgency after halftime and enjoyed their strongest spell of the match, with Julio Enciso finding space between the lines and repeatedly driving at Australia's defense.

Australia continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Nestory Irankunda firing over from a tight angle before Bos drove into the penalty area and drilled a shot narrowly wide in the 90th minute . Patrick Beach then made a save for Australia on a low shot by Mauricio that lacked power in stoppage time.

The result marks the third time Australia has advanced to the knockout round after losing in the round of 16 in 2006 and 2022. The Socceroos will play in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, against the second-place finisher from Group G.

Australia coach Tony Popovic made six changes to his lineup, including giving 18-year-old Lucas Herrington his first World Cup appearance, making him the youngest Australian to ever play in a World Cup match. Paraguay must wait to learn their fate, but is in good position to advance to the knockout round for the fifth time.