Paraguay meet Australia in a blockbuster showdown to decide the runner-up spot in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Locked on three points apiece, victory would see either Paraguay or Australia advance to the knockout stages.
A draw though would be enough for Australia to progress due to their better goal difference over Paraguay.
Team News
Miguel Almiron is suspended for Paraguay after he was sent off during their 1-0 victory over Turkey, having covered his mouth during a confrontation.
Australia will be without Matthew Leckie after he suffered a hamstring injury during their 2-0 loss to the USA.
When is Kick-Off?
Paraguay face Australia at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA, on Thursday 25 June at 7pm PDT (3am, Friday 26 June), live on ITV4 and ITVX in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Paraguay’s first World Cup meeting against Australia.
- Australia have never lost to Paraguay in five previous meetings across all competitions (D3, L2).
- Paraguay converted just three of their 16 shots at the tournament onto target in their first two group matches.
- Mohamed Toure is the only Australia player to have been caught offside once in their first two group matches.
Prediction
Having scraped a clinical victory over Turkey with an early winner before resiliently soaking up Turkey’s dominant pressure, Paraguay now will need to show more fight and quality because I expect them to see a lot more of the ball than they did in that game given Australia’s counter-attacking style.
Australia though were just wasteful in their defeat to the USA but aware that a point will be enough, I wouldn’t be surprised if they go more defensive and try to grind this out but keeping Paraguay quiet though is going to be a tough ask given that the latter have scored in both of their two group matches.
Either way, this game could well get scrappy the longer it wears on but I do think that a draw is on the cards.
Prediction: Paraguay 1-1 Australia
Result: Paraguay 0-0 Australia
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