FIFA World Cup 2026: Australia hold Paraguay to reach knockouts

Australia attacked but Paraguay battened down the hatches in a spirited final Group D match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that sent the Socceroos through to the Round of 32 as runners-up.

La Albirroja will have to wait to learn if their journey at the showpiece continues.

The match began with a great deal of intensity and physicality, before Australia took control of the affair. The Socceroos found luck down their right flank as Jordan Bos, Aiden O’Neill and Cristian Volpato combined well to get in behind a staunch Paraguay defence.

Irvine tested Orlando Gill early, firing a fizzing shot at goal just three minutes into the match which the Paraguayan netminder was able to parry over the crossbar. Bos, Volpato and O’Neill combined several more times in the first half, but they were unable to create clearcut chances for the energetic Nestory Irankunda.

Alfaro replaced Alexandro Maidana with Mauricio after the break, which sparked the Albirroja momentarily, but the script remained largely the same in the second half.

Late in the match, Jordan Bos received the ball on the right win, skipped in between two defenders and loosed a shot that went just wide of the far post. It was one of the better chances in a game that had very few shots on target.

The Socceroos secure second place in Group D and will face the runners-up from Group G in Dallas on 3 July. Paraguay will wait on baited breath to see if they get at least one more match. (FIFA)