While the match may not have been thrilling, the Socceroos achieved what they needed against Paraguay, securing a 0-0 draw at a stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, which guaranteed their place in the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time.
Australia, fielding a significantly altered lineup, maintained control for much of the game. However, both teams were aware that a draw sufficed for qualification, leading to prolonged stretches of low intensity.
Although the game did not showcase the best of Australian football, millions tuned in from TVs, fan sites, and local bars. The lack of excitement contrasted sharply with the intensity of the Socceroos’ earlier World Cup matches, but Tony Popovic’s squad will celebrate their second-place finish in Group D.
Jordy Bos, stationed on the right side of defense, and Lucas Herrington, making his World Cup debut as a young defender, were standout performers. Ultimately, the entire team contributed to a historic accomplishment on a cool evening in Santa Clara, leaving over 12,000 supporters clad in yellow ecstatic.
The mission for the World Cup is back on track after previous struggles against the USA had jeopardized their chances. The co-hosts topped the group and can now aim for the quarter-finals by defeating teams like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, and South Korea.
Securing second place here provides a solid foundation for advancement. The Socceroos can take a week off, with their match in the round of 32 scheduled in Dallas in eight days.
The team will remain in Oakland, where they feel at home, until Wednesday before heading to Texas. Their next opponent will be determined from the second-placed team in Group G, which concludes on Friday (Saturday AEST).
Belgium is in a strong position to finish second in that group, needing only a victory over New Zealand to qualify. Their standing will also depend on the outcome of the match between Egypt and Iran, but Belgium cannot secure the top spot if Egypt wins.
Popovic’s reputation as a tactician grew once again with the announced line-ups. Following previous surprises in the starting XI, this time saw an even bolder approach with six changes.
Nestory Irankunda, Cristian Volpato, and Connor Metcalfe were introduced, resulting in striker Mohamed Touré being benched. Irankunda started centrally, mirroring the strategy employed in the second half against the US. Aziz Behich stepped in for the injured Jacob Italiano, with Bos moving to the right flank.
Jackson Irvine replaced Paul Okon-Engstler in midfield, while Herrington took over at left central defense for Cam Burgess. At just 18 years old, Herrington became the youngest Socceroo to start a World Cup match, surpassing Irankunda’s record against Turkey.
Herrington displayed maturity beyond his years, distributing the ball confidently under pressure from Paraguay within just two minutes. He showcased his physicality after 16 minutes, winning a header in midfield and outmuscling Paraguay’s Diego Gómez for the follow-up, with the latter theatrically rolling on the ground looking for a foul.
As anticipated, Paraguay allowed Australia to control the game, conceding the majority of possession. Although the scoreboard remained unchanged in the first half, the Socceroos found their most promising opportunities on the right through the new partnership of Bos and Volpato.
Both players are left-footed, which occasionally resulted in a lack of width, particularly when Volpato took an extra touch. Nonetheless, they created the best chance of the half when Volpato drew a foul from a defender just outside the area, allowing Bos to take a shot from 20 meters that was saved by Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Orlando Gil.
Australia also caused problems on the left side, but much of the impact was felt by Metcalfe, who suffered a cut above his eye after a collision shortly after the first-half drinks break. The team doctor tended to him, and Metcalfe briefly emerged wearing a black singlet and headband, reminiscent of Rambo.
The second half began with multiple near-misses, underscoring that despite their dominance, Australia was on the verge of elimination at times. Irvine received an early yellow card for a challenge on the dangerous Julio Enciso. On a counterattack, Andrés Cubas unleashed a powerful long-range shot that Beach was relieved to catch. A moment of panic ensued when Beach and Behich miscommunicated on a back pass, but the goalkeeper’s quick reflexes saved the situation as the veteran defender yelled at his young teammate.
With both teams seemingly satisfied with the draw, the final moments lacked urgency. There was a late opportunity for either side, but Bos’s attempt went wide, and Beach confidently gathered a strike in injury time. The match concluded with a score of 0-0, marking a successful outcome as the Socceroos advance to the last 32.
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