SANTA CLARA, California, June 25 - Australia secured their place in the World Cup's knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay, who could be left waiting on other results for their advancement.
In a physical match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Australia finished second in Group D behind the United States, moving on to meet the second-placed team from Group G, where outcomes remain uncertain. Paraguay, with four points, may also advance as a third-placed team but will rely on final group match outcomes.
Coach Tony Popovic made six lineup changes for the match, signaling an intent to attack, yet finishing proved challenging despite Australia’s promising plays. Notably, Cristian Volpato set up Jackson Irvine early on, but the shot went straight to Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Paraguay struggled offensively for much of the match, managing only one first-half shot as they began to find their rhythm after halftime, supported by Julio Enciso. In a tense finish, both teams had late opportunities but ultimately settled for a stalemate, enabling Australia's progression with gritty performance, albeit lacking style.