Socceroos Through! Australia Draw 0-0 with Paraguay to Reach the Round of 32

Jun 26, 2026

The Socceroos are through to the Round of 32. Australia got the point they needed with a battling 0-0 draw against Paraguay at Levi's Stadium, finishing second in Group D behind the USA and booking a place in the World Cup knockout stage.

🔥 Next up: Socceroos Group D deep-dive & Round of 32 path →

It wasn’t pretty, but Tony Popovic’s side controlled their own destiny and delivered. Here’s our result, analysis and what comes next.

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🏆 Result — World Cup 2026 Group D: Paraguay 0-0 Australia at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara. The Socceroos finish second in Group D and progress to the Round of 32.

How it unfolded: the grind for a knockout berth

Needing only to avoid defeat to lock up second place on goal difference, Australia produced a composed, front-foot performance — and were comfortably the better side on the night. The scoreline stayed blank, but the Socceroos controlled territory, tempo and the bulk of the chances; in the end a tense, professional 0-0 was exactly the result they came for.

The shape of the contest

Australia set the terms. Tony Popovic’s side had 56% of possession, completed 537 passes at 81.6% accuracy to Paraguay’s 426 at 77%, and pushed the game into the opposition half — 74 successful passes into the final third against Paraguay’s 52, and 14 touches inside the box to Paraguay’s 7. From a back three of Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington, the Socceroos built patiently and used the width of wing-backs Jordan Bos and Aziz Behich to stretch a stubborn opponent.

Australia on top — but no clear-cut chance

The Socceroos racked up 12 shots to Paraguay’s 7, hit the target five times and ran up the higher expected-goals figure (0.98 to 0.46). Jordan Bos was the most threatening, with a team-high three shots and three chances created; substitute-turned-starter Cristian Volpato created three more before he was withdrawn on 58 minutes, and Aiden O’Neill added two key passes from midfield. Jackson Irvine and Nestory Irankunda each had two efforts.

What Australia couldn’t conjure was a genuinely gilt-edged opening — the match finished with zero “big chances” created by either side. Seven of Australia’s shots came from inside the box, but four were saved and three blocked by bodies in front of an organised Paraguay goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, who finished with five saves to keep his side level.

Paraguay sat deep and countered

Paraguay, needing to win to have any chance of progressing, paradoxically spent much of the night defending. They made 24 clearances (12 of them headed) to Australia’s 10, sat in a compact block, and looked to spring forward in transition — one of their seven shots came from a fast break. With only two efforts on target and an xG of 0.46, they never built sustained pressure, and their best route was always the long ball and the set piece rather than open-play penetration.

Beach and the back three hold firm

In goal, Patrick Beach completed the job he started against Türkiye, posting a clean sheet with two saves and commanding his area — he claimed nine crosses from inside his box as Paraguay went aerial late. In front of him Souttar and Circati headed everything away, and aside from one slip that led to a Paraguay shot, Australia were barely troubled. Jackson Irvine was booked early in the second half (46′), and as the clock wound down the Socceroos were content to see it out. When the whistle blew, the point — and a place in the Round of 32 — was theirs.

By the numbers

Match stats	Australia	Paraguay
Possession	56%	44%
Shots	12	7
Shots on target	5	2
Expected goals (xG)	0.98	0.46
Big chances	0	0
Touches in opposition box	14	7
Passes (accuracy)	537 (82%)	426 (77%)
Corners	3	1
Clearances	10	24
Duels won	64	55
Fouls	6	9
Yellow cards	1	1

Group D — Final Standings

#	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	United States	3	+4	6
2	Australia	3	0	4
3	Paraguay	3	−2	4
4	Türkiye	3	−2	3

The USA topped the group despite a dead-rubber 3-2 loss to Türkiye in the other final-round game. Australia’s second place was secured on goal difference ahead of Paraguay — the Socceroos’ opening 2-0 win over Türkiye ultimately proving the difference in a tight group.

Did our tips land?

This one came good. Our Bet of the Weekend was Australia Double Chance (draw or win) — on the logic that a draw was enough to send the Socceroos through on goal difference. The 0-0 result landed it, and it played out exactly as flagged: Australia took care of business without needing the win.

What’s next: the Round of 32

Australia advance to the Round of 32, where they will face the runner-up of Group G in Arlington, Texas. That opponent is still to be confirmed — Group G is wide open, with Egypt, Belgium, IR Iran and New Zealand all in the mix before the group concludes. We’ll preview the knockout tie in full once the opponent is locked in; for now, the Socceroos are into the last 32 for back-to-back World Cups. Both the build-up and the match will be live and free on SBS — see our World Cup 2026 SBS TV guide.

Where to bet on the World Cup in Australia

For Socceroos knockout markets, outright and tournament betting, bet365 offers the deepest World Cup market list, with Ladbrokes and Neds strong for multis. Compare in our best betting sites in Australia guide.

FAQ

What was the score in Paraguay v Australia?
It finished 0-0 at Levi’s Stadium. The draw was enough for Australia to finish second in Group D.

Did Australia qualify for the World Cup Round of 32?
Yes. The Socceroos finished second in Group D on four points and are through to the knockout stage.

Who do Australia play next?
Australia face the runner-up of Group G in the Round of 32, in Arlington, Texas. The opponent will be confirmed once Group G concludes.

How did Group D finish?
USA first (6 points), Australia second (4), Paraguay third (4, inferior goal difference) and Türkiye fourth (3).

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