Australia grind out a Paraguay draw to reach the World Cup last 32
A goalless draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara was enough to send Australia through as Group D runners-up. Paraguay, also on four points, must now wait to learn whether third place sees them into the knockouts.
Jun 26, 2026
Australia booked their place in the World Cup’s last 32 with a goalless draw against Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 25, a cagey night that handed Tony Popovic’s side exactly what they came for. A point was enough to lock up second in Group D behind the United States and send the Socceroos through. Paraguay, level with Australia on four points, were left to sweat on whether that haul would be enough to sneak in as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Nobody will remember this one for the football. Both teams understood a draw probably suited them, and the caution showed in a first half short on clear chances and shorter on risk.
Australia start the brighter
For all the wariness, Australia had the better of the opening half hour. Jackson Irvine had his shot saved by Gill after Cristian Volpato picked him out, and the Paraguay goalkeeper had to stay alert to keep out further efforts from Jordan Bos and Volpato before the interval. For a side that had looked short of ideas in their earlier defeat to the United States, it was a sharper, more purposeful display.
Paraguay grow into it
Gustavo Alfaro shuffled his pack at half-time, sending on Mauricio, and Paraguay carried far more threat after the restart. Julio Enciso was their liveliest attacker and went closest with a low effort that slid wide with eight minutes left. Australia had the last real sight of goal when Bos burst into the box in the 89th minute and fired across the face of goal, but neither side could find the strike that would have reshaped the group.
An anxious wait for Paraguay
For Australia, the sums were simple. Second place was theirs, and the knockout ticket came attached. Popovic will happily take the clean sheet and the composure his team showed in a game they could not afford to lose. Paraguay’s situation is messier. Four points from a group of this shape often survives in the 48-team format, where eight of the 12 third-placed sides go through, but Alfaro’s players now have to watch results elsewhere before they know whether their World Cup carries on.