San Francisco, June 24: Paraguay face Australia for the first time at World Cup as Group D comes to a close with this enormously important clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Both Paraguay and Australia arrive at Levi’s Stadium locked on three points apiece after two matches, separated only by goal difference, with the United States already through at the top. A win for either side almost certainly guarantees a place in the Round of 32; a draw could be enough depending on the Turkey result, while a defeat likely ends one team’s tournament. This is a straight knockout game in everything but name, and the pressure is real on both benches.
Paraguay’s campaign has mirrored the arc of their qualifying run, grinding out narrow wins when composure is required and shipping heavy defeats when faced with elite opposition. That pragmatic approach makes them genuinely awkward opponents for any team that needs to attack.
Australia, guided by Tony Popovic in his first World Cup as head coach, put in their best performance of the group stage against Turkey, winning 2-0 with a composed, structured display. The 0-2 defeat to the US that followed underlined the gap at the top of this group, but the Socceroos showed they can compete against sides of similar standing.
The question shaping this match is whether Australia can break down Paraguay, who gave up just one goal in their last four qualifying matches. Paraguay’s defensive shape has been the foundation of everything, and with Australia needing a positive result rather than necessarily a win, Popovic may opt to be measured rather than expansive. (Agencies)
