In a tightly contested match at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco, Paraguay and Australia settled for a goalless draw on Thursday, a result that left the South American side in a favorable position to advance to the World Cup 2026 round of 16 as one of the top third-place finishers in Group D.
The match, which marked the conclusion of Group D's third round, was evenly matched but saw an edge in statistics for the Australians. The Australian team controlled 57% of the ball possession compared to Paraguay's 43%, attempted 11 shots versus the South Americans' six, and registered four shots on target compared to just one for Paraguay.
Despite the statistical advantage, neither team managed to break the deadlock. The scoreline remained unchanged for the full 90 minutes, ultimately benefiting Australia more, as they secured the second spot in the group, while Paraguay finished third with four points, awaiting the outcomes from other groups to see if they advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Key Match Incidents
During the match, Jackson Irvine received a yellow card for Australia in the 46th minute, and Diego Gómez was similarly cautioned for Paraguay in the 77th minute. No players were sent off during the game.
Both teams made several substitutions in an attempt to find a breakthrough: Paraguay introduced Maurício Magalhães Prado at halftime, replacing Alexandro Maidana, and later brought on Alex Arce, José Canale, Damian Bobadilla, and Junior Alonso. Australia countered with the introductions of Ajdin Hrustic, Paul Okon-Engstler, and Tete Yengi.
Group D Standings
Following the draw, the final standings in Group D were led by the United States with six points, despite their 3-2 defeat to Turkey in a concurrent match at SoFi Stadium. Australia secured second place with four points, and Paraguay also amassed four points but with a goal difference of -2, placing them third.
Turkey, despite their victory, ended at the bottom of the group with three points and was eliminated from the tournament.
Paraguay's Path Forward
For Paraguay, the result is significant as it brings them close to reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2010 in South Africa, 16 years ago. They now stand as potential qualifiers among the top eight third-placed teams in a tournament format that advances 32 teams to the next round.
Paraguay's journey through the group stage was a rollercoaster: they suffered a 4-1 loss to the United States in the first match, with Folarin Balogun scoring a hat-trick. They bounced back with a victory over Turkey in the second game, and the draw against Australia now leaves them on the cusp of advancing.
FAQs on Paraguay's World Cup 2026 Journey
What was the outcome of Paraguay's match against Australia?
Paraguay and Australia played to a 0-0 draw in their final Group D match.
How did Paraguay perform in the group stage?
Paraguay finished third in Group D with four points, following a loss to the USA, a win against Turkey, and a draw with Australia.
Can Paraguay advance to the next round of the World Cup?
Yes, Paraguay has a chance to advance as one of the top third-placed teams, pending results from other groups.