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:

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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Prematch AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay Vs Australia, FIFA World Cup: See Best Photos
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)
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Paraguay Vs Australia, FIFA World Cup: See Best Photos
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)
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Paraguay Vs Australia, FIFA World Cup: See Best Photos
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Nishan Velupillay prematch AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Aussie silhouette AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Aussies Warm Up AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Paraguay Warm Up AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D fans line up AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D aussie fans kangaroo AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Julio Enciso calf AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Paraguay fan waves AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Flags AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Aussie XI AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Paraguay XI AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Gustavo Alfaro Waves AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Tony Popovic AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Aiden ONeill and Matias Galarza AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Harry Souttar In he Middle AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Gabriel Avalos and Harry Souttar AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Gabriel Avalos injury AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Cristian Volpato controls AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Lucas Herrington and Diego Gomez AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Connor Metcalfe Injury AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Connor Metcalfe Medical AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Alexandro Maidana Steals AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Connor Metcalfe Back AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Omar Alderete Kicks AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Kids At Sydney Watch Party AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Alexandro Maidana Battles AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Stad General View AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Cristian Volpato On The Ball AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Diego Gomez Heads AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Julio Enciso Reacts AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Gustavo Gomez Header Connects AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Omar Alderete Crashes AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Omar Alderete Crash impact AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Asuncion Watch party AP Photo
People watch the World Cup soccer match between Australia and Paraguay in Asuncion, Paraguay Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Aiden ONeill On AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Julio Enciso Tackled AP Photo
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)
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Paraguay vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Diego Gomez Cramped AP Photo
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)
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-Tony Popovic
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-Cristian Volpato
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-
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
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Australia vs Paraguay World Cup Soccer highlights-Jackson Irvine
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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