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Australia secured second place in Group D after holding Paraguay to a 0-0 draw in their final group-stage match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, while Paraguay also advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Australia only needed a draw to progress and successfully executed a disciplined defensive display despite coming under sustained pressure for much of the contest. Paraguay, meanwhile, required victory to automatically qualify but did enough to remain among the best third-placed teams.
Paraguay dominated all attacking statistics, forcing Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach into several saves while creating the better chances throughout the match. However, Gustavo Alfaro’s side struggled to convert their opportunities.
The closest Australia came to snatching all three points was in the closing stages when Jordan Bos curled an effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Paraguay nearly found a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, but Mauricio’s strike from the edge of the penalty area was comfortably gathered by Beach.
The match also had disciplinary implications for Paraguay after Brighton midfielder Diego Gómez received his second yellow card of the tournament. The booking rules him out of Paraguay’s Round of 32 fixture.
Australia now advance as Group D runners-up, while Paraguay continue their World Cup journey as one of the competition’s highest-ranked third-placed teams after surviving a nervy final day in the group.
