Tactical Boredom, Or Campaign-Saving Masterstroke? Relive The Goalless Group D Finale
Paraguay Vs Australia Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: In a cagey Group D finale at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Thursday, the two teams played out a goalless draw. With an automatic Round of 32 knockout spot on the line, Tony Popovic's Socceroos needed only a single point to secure second place and advance. They did so with a defensive masterclass, led by Harry Souttar and Jordan Bos. For Gustavo Alfaro's La Albirroja, it left them in third place, also on four points, and they remain hopeful of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. In the absence of suspended Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso led their attack. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, an already-eliminated Turkiye restored national pride by beating group leaders USA, 3-2. Despite the Stars and Stripes resting key talent, Vincenzo Montella's Crescent-Stars found redemption through a dramatic 98th-minute winner from Kaan Ayhan. See the best photos from the PAR vs AUS football match here:
Paraguay players warm up ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A fan uses her mobile phone ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia fans cheer before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Australia's Nishan Velupillay (23) warms up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Australia's Tete Yengi (26), right, warms up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Australia players warm up during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay players warm up during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Soccer fans line up outside the stadium before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A young Australia fan carries an inflatable kangaroo into the stadium during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay's Julio Enciso (19) warms up ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A Paraguay fan waves a flag before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Players stand for the national anthem during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Australia poses for a team photo during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay poses for a team photo during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro waves ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia head coach Tony Popovic stands ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia's Harry Souttar (19) heads the ball against Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23), Gustavo Velazquez (2), Gustavo Gomez (15) and Gabriel Avalos (21) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay's Gabriel Avalos (21) and Australia's Harry Souttar (19) react during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Gabriel Avalos (21) lays on the pitch after an injury as Australia's Connor Metcalfe (8) stands over during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Australia's Cristian Volpato (20) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia's Lucas Herrington (25) heads the ball against Paraguay's Diego Gomez (8) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Australia's Connor Metcalfe (8) receives a medical treatment during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Australia's Connor Metcalfe (8) receives a medical treatment during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay's Alexandro Maidana (26) steals the ball from Australia's Jordan Bos (5) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Australia's Connor Metcalfe (8) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Andres Cubas (14) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Omar Alderete (3) kicks the ball over Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Kids play with a soccer ball as fans watch large screens in a park in Sydney, Friday, June 26, 2026, as Australia and Paraguay play in their World Cup Group D soccer match. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Paraguay's Alexandro Maidana (26) battles for a header with Australia's Jordan Bos (5) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A general view during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Australia's Cristian Volpato (20) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Diego Gomez (8) heads the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay's Julio Enciso (19) reacts after being tackled by Australia's Jackson Irvine (22) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay's Gustavo Gomez (15) heads the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Omar Alderete (3) receives medical assistance during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Julio Enciso (19) is helped up by Australia's Alessandro Circati (3) after crashing into the boards during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
People watch the World Cup soccer match between Australia and Paraguay in Asuncion, Paraguay Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) battles for the ball with Paraguay's Diego Gomez (8) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay's Julio Enciso, right, reacts after being tackled by Australia's Alessandro Circati, center, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay's Diego Gomez (8) on the ground, is helped by Australia's Ajdin Hrustic (10) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay's Mauricio (11) and Andres Cubas (14) shake hands as Paraguay's Alex Arce (18) and Australia's Tete Yengi (26) look on after a draw during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu
Australia head coach Tony Popovic reacts after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Eakin Howard
Australia celebrates after a draw during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu
Australia's Cristian Volpato (20)reacts after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Eakin Howard
A man's legs pop up after he is dumped while crowd surfing as fans watch large screens in a park in Sydney, as Australia and Paraguay play in their World Cup Group D soccer match. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft
Australia celebrates a draw during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu
Fans celebrate after watching large screens in a park in Sydney, as Australia and Paraguay play in their World Cup Group D soccer match. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft
Australia's Jackson Irvine (22) and Aziz Behich (16) celebrate after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Eakin Howard
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