Paraguay face Australia with the World Cup on the line

Australia tonight, win or go home

This is it. Paraguay face Australia on Thursday in the final Group D match, and the math is simple: win and you are through to the last 16. A draw or a loss and you are relying on the other result to save you (1) (4) (5).

The Socceroos know the stakes too. "Our destiny is in our own hands," their camp said ahead of the match (4).

Your team beat Türkiye 1–0 to stay alive. Now they need one more.

Alfaro's defensive setup faces the Australian test

Paraguay kept Türkiye quiet. The USMNT found a way through in a 2–0 loss. Australia will likely test the same defensive structure that has carried Alfaro's side this far.

A clean sheet guarantees progression regardless of the USA–Türkiye result. That is the simplest path.

The group could get messy

The USA face an already-eliminated Türkiye in the other Group D match. If Paraguay draw or lose, your team needs the USA to drop points. The USMNT have momentum after beating Paraguay.

It is not a comfortable position, but your team still controls its own fate with a win (1) (4).