Paraguay vs Australia FIFA 2026 World Cup Recap: Socceroos through to knockout stages after draw
The Socceroos are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup after a nil-all draw with Paraguay in California. FOLLOW LIVE!
FIFA WORLD CUP: The eyes of Australia will be on California as the Socceroos take on Paraguay with a spot in the knockout stages on the line.
After an impressive win over Turkey, they came crashing back down to earth against the USA but still control their own fate, knowing a win or draw will get them second place and a spot in the knockouts.
A draw will likely be enough for both sides to progress, but don’t expect either side to play defensively, with both looking to avoid a likely matchup with Germany in the Round of 32.
Australia have never beaten a South American team at a World Cup and Paraguay will be a tough challenge, having beaten several giants just to qualify.
Can the Socceroos rebound to progress to the knockouts?
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Key events
26 Jun 2026 - 12:14 PM
Match Report
26 Jun 2026 - 12:05 PM
What the win means
26 Jun 2026 - 11:59 AM
AUSSIES ARE THROUGH!
26 Jun 2026 - 11:43 AM
‘80 minutes
26 Jun 2026 - 11:32 AM
Second hydration break
26 Jun 2026 - 11:08 AM
Second half underway
26 Jun 2026 - 10:53 AM
HALF TIME AUS 0 - 0 PAR
26 Jun 2026 - 10:46 AM
Six minutes of added time
26 Jun 2026 - 10:28 AM
Metcalfe kicked in the face
26 Jun 2026 - 08:59 AM
SIX changes for Socceroos, Volpato to start
26 Jun 2026 - 08:47 AM
What will be on Tony Popovic’s team sheet?
26 Jun 2026 - 08:10 AM
Early results do Socceroos no favours
26 Jun 2026 - 08:03 AM
Welcome
Popovic on the late Paraguay chance
“The one at the end was the first time that I really looked at the clock and thought, ‘Please, blow the whistle’. But I think overall we deserved it,” Popovic said.
“We were very good today. Just a wonderful performance.”
Final stats
It was by no means a classic but you get the feeling neither Australia or Paraguay will care.
Australia finished with 56 per cent possession with 12 shots and five on target while Paraguay had just two though almost stole it late.
The Socceroos completed 438 passes at 82 per cent and had 14 touches inside the attacking box.
Turkey stuns USA
On the other side of the group Turkey have stunned the USA to cap off what was an otherwise dismal tournament with a 3-2 win over the co-hosts.
Kaan Ayhan scored in the 98th minute with the final kick of the match to claim the remarkable win.
Popovic speaks
“Just unbelievable,” he says.
“Just so proud of everyone involved.
“Now we go to Dallas and we try to so something special.”
“It’s important for us, the eight days gives us a chance to recover properly ... and be ready for the challenge,” he says.
Popo loves it!
Pride of the nation!
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Socceroos have made Australia proud after cementing their spot in the round of 32.
Match Report
What the win means
AUSSIES ARE THROUGH!
Hugely tense moment as Muarico got the ball pn the edge of the penalty area but the shot was weak allowing Beach to save.
Tete Yengi then went up the other end but his shot was also poor and saved.
Australia finish second in the gorup with four points.
Okon-Englster ... Almost!
He’s in the box and rips a striker off his left beat and it;s curling around witht he keeper beaten but it doesn’t come back enough to find the net.
Five minutes of added time.
Originally published on The West Australian
