Australia vs – Australia and Paraguay played through five added minutes in a tense Group D finale at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, ending 0-0 after a late near-miss saved by goalkeeper Patrick Beach. The result keeps the standings tight as both teams head into the next stag
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The match had that rare, locked-in feeling you only get late in a World Cup group game: both teams desperate to break the scoring drought, both teams terrified of being the one that blinked first.
At Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday. June 25. Australia and Paraguay kept finding saves instead of goals. playing out a scoreless 0-0 draw with chances that landed just wide and at least one late attempt that goalkeeper Patrick Beach stopped at the left corner in stoppage time.
The stakes were real for both sides. Australia entered its group finale with three points. and a win or a draw would secure second place in Group D. Paraguay also started on three points. but it needed a win; if the match ended in a draw. Paraguay would still have to wait and see whether three points would be enough for a third-place qualifier spot for the round of 32.
There was a moment late that summed up how close the game stayed. Mauricio got freed up around the center of the box and fired a left-footed attempt that Beach saved at the left corner at the 93rd minute. Earlier. Jordan Bos had created another big opening at the 90th minute. splitting two Paraguay defenders and releasing a left-footed shot from the right side of the box—close enough to feel like the next play would decide everything. but it missed to the left. The referee added five additional minutes to the clock. and the game tightened further as both teams pressed for the breakthrough.
Before that final surge, the scoreboard was still blank. The match was tied 0-0 at the 87th minute. and the tension never really eased as both teams tried to find a clean lane. Bos sliced through the Paraguay defense with two defenders around him and tried to sneak in a shot from inside the box near the center. but it missed short and toward the bottom right corner. Orlando Gill was there anyway, falling on the ball for another save.
Paraguay arrived with momentum after wins over Turkey, and Australia had its own victories over Turkey as well, leaving both squads on three points heading into this group finale.
The physical texture of the game showed up even when the chances were scarce. Paraguay was assessed a yellow card at the 77th minute for a bad foul committed by Diego Gomez. Australia’s discipline stood out too: Australia midfielder was assessed a yellow card to start the second half at the 46th minute for a tackle. Paraguay also had a red-card moment hanging over the match in the betting predictions ahead of kickoff. with one forecaster describing it as “a red card bonanza.”.
If the crowd was hoping for fireworks, it got drama instead. The match was sold out at Levi’s Stadium on June 25, with 68,827 attendees counted.
For Paraguay, the urgency sharpened as the second half began. At the 48th minute. Andres Cubas got an early shot attempt from outside the box with his right foot that was missed. Minutes later. Mauricio also tested Australia from outside the box with a right-foot attempt at the 50th minute that was on target. but Patrick Beach saved it at the top right corner.
Australia’s first-half story was control without conversion. At halftime, the score was 0-0, and Australia had been the aggressor through the first half. Australia made six attempts at goals compared to Paraguay’s one “inside the box” attempt. Australia totaled three attempts inside the box and three attempts outside it.
Orlando Gill repeatedly denied Australia and kept the match level. He did it again and again—three saves in the game—and produced key stops including one at the 47th minute. Cristian Volpato had a look on the right side of the box with his left foot. but Gill saved it at the top of the goal. A minute later, Jackson Irvine tried a header that was too high and missed.
Australia’s early looks had their own near misses. Jackson Irvine attempted a header a minute after Gill’s 47th-minute save and it sailed over. Earlier, Australia missed a shot on goal—an off-target attempt from Aiden O’Neill at the 10th minute. At the start of the game. Orlando Gill defended by propping the ball in the air and behind the goal at the 4th minute after Irvine charged up and let one go.
Paraguay’s first real threat in the first half came at the 38th minute when Gabriel Avalos came sweeping with a right-foot shot from the center of the box that missed left. And while Australia had the ball more—possession measured at 64%—Paraguay edged the duels 19-18. Australia also landed slightly more physical pressure, committing three fouls to Paraguay’s two.
There were interruptions, including injuries, but play continued. At the 17th minute. Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez had caused a game delay due to injury. lying on the grass for about a minute before returning. Later. after the hydration break. Australia’s Connor Metcalfe went down when he took an incidental cleat to the face from Paraguay’s Andres Cubas. He was tended to by the official and team medical staff. changed out of his bloodied jersey into a fresh one. remained in the contest. and the game resumed.
Substitutions also shaped the rhythm. At the 67th minute, Gabriel Avalos exited for Paraguay, replaced by Alex Arce. On the Australia side. Ajdin Hrustic came on to replace Cristian Volpato. and Hrustic missed a chance at the 61st minute. Earlier still. Matias Galarza missed a shot from outside the box on the left side of the field at the 74th minute.
As stoppage time stretched, the late chances kept coming—but the defense held firm and the goalkeepers stayed sharp. The score remained 0-0 even as both teams fought to end it, and the match closed after those five added minutes.
Australia started the match in a 3-4-3 setup under head coach Tony Popovic, with Patrick Beach in goal. Defenders were Alessandro Circati. Jordan Bos. Aziz Behich. Harry Souttar. and Lucas Herrington; midfielders were Connor Metcalfe. Aiden O’Neill. and Jackson Irvine; and the attackers were Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato.
Paraguay lined up in a 5-4-1 under head coach Gustavo Alfaro, with Orlando Gill in goal. Defenders included Gustavo Velazquez, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, and Alexandro Maidana. The midfield featured Diego Gomez, Andres Cubas, and Matias Galarza, with Julio Enciso and Gabriel Avalos up front.
For viewers planning ahead of the full slate, the Paraguay vs. Australia kickoff was set for 10 p.m. ET. The Group D match was held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It aired on FS1, with additional options through Fubo and the Fox One App. Spanish-language broadcasts were available on Telemundo and Peacock.
Three expert predictions were offered before the match: Seth Vertelney predicted Paraguay 1-1 Australia. Jon Arnold picked Paraguay 0-1 Australia. and Victoria Hernandez forecasted Paraguay 0-1 Australia—an outcome that never arrived on the night. leaving both teams to absorb the same quiet fact: no goals. no separation. and a group situation that still tightens around the margins.
Australia Paraguay 2026 World Cup Group D score highlights how to watch Levi's Stadium Santa Clara Patrick Beach Orlando Gill