Australia clinches – Australia and Paraguay played out a 0-0 draw on Thursday night, securing the Socceroos’ place in the World Cup knockout round and leaving Paraguay in a strong position to advance as Group D concludes.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The final Group D whistle sounded on a night when neither Australia nor Paraguay looked eager to gamble. By the time the stadium settled into the quiet that follows a goalless draw. Australia had already done enough to lock in a knockout-round spot. while Paraguay left the pitch believing it was “likely” to be enough as well.
The match ended 0-0, but the scoreboard wasn’t the whole story for the Socceroos. With the World Cup expanded to 48 teams. eight of the 12 third-place finishers in the group stage would make the knockout round. and Group D’s final positions were suddenly shaped by the smallest margins. Both sides entered Thursday’s game on three points after wins over Turkey.
Australia’s draw assured the team second place behind the United States in Group D. and that meant the Socceroos clinched their spot in the round of 32. Paraguay finished with four points and was likely to advance too. though it still had to wait on how results play out over the final two days of group matches.
Australia coach Tony Popovic didn’t dress it up. “We tried to win the game,” he said. “In the end, a draw was enough for both nations. Congratulations to Paraguay as well. … I’m sure as we are feeling euphoria and joy as a nation, I’m sure Paraguay is as well.”
This is the third time Australia has reached the knockout round after losing in the round of 16 in 2006 and 2022. The next match is already mapped out: the Socceroos will play in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington. Texas. against the second-place finisher from Group G. a spot that will be determined Friday night.
In the other dugout, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro kept his focus on what comes after the waiting. “Now we have to wait,” he said. “I am optimistic that we will be able to move on to the next phase.”
Australia’s evening was built on a first half that produced the better chances and then a second half that refused to unravel. Jordan Irvine forced an early save from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. and Gill then came up big again in stoppage time against Cristian Volpato. Even with Paraguay enjoying more possession after halftime. neither team found the kind of opening that turns a cautious plan into a decisive goal.
The clearest moments still carried near-misses for both sides. In the 90th minute, Jordan Bos had Australia’s best chance, but his shot went wide from the right side of the box. In stoppage time, Patrick Beach made a save for Australia on a low shot by Mauricio that lacked power.
Popovic summed up the feeling inside Australia’s control. “You can have opinions on how the game was played or what we both thought we needed,” he said. “We at no stage felt we were playing for a draw. I felt we controlled the game quite well, were in control and had the better opportunities. We just gave one away at the end from the edge of the box. which was a heart-in-the-mouth moment. unfortunately for us.”.
Australia did make the sort of tactical decision that comes with a team in a position of strength: Popovic made six changes to his lineup for the game. One of the biggest stories was the introduction of 18-year-old Lucas Herrington, giving him his first World Cup appearance. Herrington. who plays for the Colorado Rapids in the MLS. became the youngest Aussie to appear in a World Cup game.
For Paraguay, discipline became another theme. Midfielder Diego Gomez picked up his second yellow card of group play, meaning he will miss the round of 32 if Paraguay advances.
Ajdin Hrustic captured the moment for Australia, the kind of relief that feels earned rather than handed over. “We really did work hard for this moment and I think we should enjoy it,” the midfielder said.
Gomez, speaking after the result, reflected on what the group stage leaves behind for his team. “We wanted a positive result, but it couldn’t be done,” he said. “There is a lot to work on, (lots) to get done, lots of things to improve on.”
For Australia, the knockout draw is no longer a question. For Paraguay, the work continues somewhere off the pitch—watching the rest of the group play out, hoping four points will carry them into the next phase for the fifth time.
Australia vs Paraguay 0-0 draw World Cup Group D Socceroos knockout round Tony Popovic Gustavo Alfaro Orlando Gill Lucas Herrington Ajdin Hrustic Diego Gomez
0-0 is still wild, they really did it just by not losing? lol
Wait so Australia “seized” a spot but it was a boring draw? I feel like Paraguay would’ve lost if they were serious. The article says 48 teams too so it’s like easier to get through anyway.
I’m confused by the whole third-place thing. Like if 8 of the 12 third-place teams advance, wouldn’t that mean almost everyone advances? Also it says Australia second behind the US but then they’re celebrating like they won something.
Tony Popovic said “tried to win” but it was basically they parked the bus. Paraguay was “likely” to advance like that’s not the same as guaranteed? I swear World Cup rules change every year, I can’t keep up, but congrats anyway I guess.