Australia secured their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a cagey 0-0 draw against Paraguay on Thursday. The result guaranteed the Socceroos second place in Group D, while Paraguay were left waiting to see if they would progress as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
It was a closely contested match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Australia dominated the opening stages, but Paraguay grew into the game after half-time. In the end, neither side could find a breakthrough.
The draw sends Australia into the knockout stage for the third time in their history and the first since reaching the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Tony Popovic’s side will now face the second-placed team from Group G, where qualification is still to be decided.
Paraguay finished with four points and still have a chance of advancing, but must wait for the remaining group-stage results to know their fate.
Popovic made six changes to his starting lineup, bringing back exciting winger Nestory Irankunda and handing Cristian Volpato a place in attack in an effort to give his side more attacking threat.
Australia made a bright start and created several chances down the right wing. Just minutes into the match, Volpato set up Jackson Irvine, but his shot was straight at Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Jordan Bos and Volpato also forced saves before half-time, although Gill was rarely seriously troubled.
Paraguay struggled to create opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, managing just one shot. Coach Gustavo Alfaro responded by introducing Mauricio at half-time, but the substitute’s long-range effort shortly after the restart failed to trouble goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
As the second half progressed, Paraguay became more dangerous, with Julio Enciso causing problems whenever he ran at the Australian defence. Their best chance came late in the game when Enciso fired a low shot wide of the left post.
Australia almost snatched a winner in the 89th minute when Bos burst into the penalty area after beating two defenders, but his shot drifted just past the far post.
Paraguay had one final opportunity in stoppage time, but Mauricio’s weak effort from the edge of the area was comfortably saved by Beach, allowing Australia to hold on for the point they needed to reach the knockout stage.
