USA, Australia advance from Group D as Paraguay sweat on knockout spot

It was a day of drama, goals and nervous calculation in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and when the dust settled, the United States and Australia had both booked their places in the Round of 32, while Paraguay were left hoping other results go their way.

The USA had done their work early. Back-to-back victories in their opening two fixtures had already guaranteed the Americans a knockout berth before they even kicked off against Türkiye today, and so the 3-2 defeat in Dallas — painful as it was — did nothing to dislodge them from the top of the group. Their superior points tally remained intact, and Group D's top spot belongs to the United States heading into the knockout rounds.

The manner of the defeat, however, will concern coach and players alike. The Americans dominated Türkiye by every statistical measure — 53 per cent possession, 19 shots to Türkiye's ten, nine corners to two — and still found a way to lose. They led, equalised after falling behind twice, pressed desperately in the closing stages and were then broken by a 90th-minute Türkiye winner of crushing, clinical precision. It was a sobering reminder that dominance without efficiency counts for nothing at a World Cup.

In Houston, Australia secured second place in the group with a goalless draw against Paraguay — a result that, while frustrating given their superiority on the night, proved sufficient for progression. Orlando Gill was extraordinary in goal for Paraguay, making five saves to deny a Socceroos side that had 12 shots, five on target and 56 per cent of the ball without reward. Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato threatened throughout but the final breakthrough never came.

Paraguay, meanwhile, finish third in Group D and now wait anxiously on their fate, hoping a third-place finish is enough to earn one of the tournament's remaining knockout berths.