Going forward, Paraguay were blunt. The Almiron suspension bled out their main creative outlet, and substitutes couldn't compensate. A late low-powered effort from Mauricio was about as dangerous as it got. Diego Gómez's booking in the 77th minute is also a problem — it was his second yellow of the group stage, ruling him out of Paraguay's next match if they advance.
Tony Popovic made the call to drop experienced goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in favor of 18-year-old Patrick Beach — and Beach delivered a composed performance behind a back 3 of Souttar, Circati, and Lucas Herrington. Herrington, also 18, became the youngest Australian to appear in a World Cup match per reports, and handled himself well against Paraguay's limited attacking threat. Australia controlled the first half, with Irvine finding space off a Volpato cutback in the 4th minute and Bos forcing a Gill save in the 36th.
Jordan Bos had the clearest chance of the entire match — cutting in from the right in the 90th minute, his left-footed strike just slid wide of the post. That was the high-water mark of Australia's attack, and it tells you everything about the night. The draw was the correct result. Australia are through as runners-up, and Popovic's side will now prepare for the knockout bracket having conceded just once in the group stage.
The moneyline hit. Draw was the market's most likely outcome at roughly 40%, and it landed exactly as our bull case described: Australia sat deep, Almiron's suspension stripped Paraguay of their main attack outlet, and no one had any real appetite for the kind of open football that produces goals. The total was the other side of the ledger. We went over the 1.5-goal line, expecting Paraguay's desperation to force the game open. It never did — both sides settled into cautious self-interest from the opening minutes, and the under cashed at 0 goals. One for two on the night, with the right side winning.
Australia advance as Group D runners-up, sorted on goal difference over Paraguay who finish third on equal points. Both teams are effectively through to the Round of 32. USA topped the group. Paraguay head into the knockout round without Diego Gómez. Australia head in with some momentum and a back line that hasn't conceded in their last 2 matches.
France0-1
Germany1-1
Australia0-0
Türkiye1-0
United States1-4
Egypt1-1Paraguay0-0United States0-2Türkiye2-0- SuspendedDiego Gómez — second yellow card of group stage, misses next match