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Australia national football team Socceroos head into their final World Cup group match against Paraguay with their fate in their hands.
What's at Stake?
A draw will be enough for the Socceroos to reach the knockout phase, but a win will secure a potentially easier opponent in the round of 32.
The Socceroos are coming off a 2-0 defeat by the USA on 2026-06-19.
Recent Performance
Last result: USA 2-0 Australia (2026-06-19). Next fixture: vs Paraguay (away, 2026-06-26).
The Opponent
Paraguay brings momentum after their courageous 1-0 win over Turkey, reduced to 10 by Miguel Almiron's landmark red card.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Last result | USA 2-0 Australia |
| Next fixture | vs Paraguay (away) |
| Date | 2026-06-26 |
The Strategy
Socceroos defender Jason Geria emphasized the importance of playing to win, rather than settling for a draw. 'I think you're cheating the game in a way if you're looking to just call a truce with 10 minutes to go, that doesn't seem right in my opinion,' he said.
The match is expected to have a significant impact on the national economy, with many workers planning to take the day off to watch the game.
What Comes Next?
The winner of the match will play the second-placed team in Group G, which remains wide open before leading Egypt face second-placed Iran and third-placed Belgium meet New Zealand.
