Socceroos face Paraguay in the San Francisco Bay Area as Group D comes to a close.
Group D
Friday, 26 June | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Kick-off time
10:00 (GMT+8)
The match
Paraguay face Australia for the first time at FIFA World Cup™ level as Group D comes to a close with this enormously important clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Both teams were able to defeat Turkey – 1-0 for Paraguay and 2-0 for Australia – but they both also lost to USA, 4-1 for the South Americans and 2-0 for the Socceroos. With goal difference to their advantage, Australia only require a draw to advance, while Paraguay must win to be assured of advancing.
Paraguay are competing at their first finals since 2010, while the Socceroos are featuring at a sixth straight edition.
The runners-up of this section are set to face the Group G runners-up in Dallas. Should the third-placed team in Group D qualify as one of the eight best, they will meet either the Group E, Group I or Group K winners in Boston, New York New Jersey or Kansas City, respectively.
Paraguay possible starting XI
Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; D. Gomez, Cubas, Galarza, Mauricio; Enciso, Avalos
Australia possible starting XI
Beach; Geria, Burgess, Circati, Souttar, Bos; Leckie, Okon-Engstler, O’Neill, Velupillay; Toure
What they said…
“It’s been a wonderful experience for us so far, particularly the game against the USA. The players responded extremely well in the second half. We’re growing day by day, even quicker than I anticipated. I’m very confident that the boys are well prepared and excited for the opportunity. We’re in this position because we deserve to be here, with a game to go and a chance to reach the knockout stages.” Tony Popovic, Australia coach
“[Every opponent] is a little different in their own way. You’ve got to adapt to that, play to your strengths and perhaps target their weaknesses. As for the yellow card, it’s not something I need to focus on. I’ll think about that after the game. Of course, you have to be aware of it, but you can’t let it affect your performance. Personally, I’d rather make a challenge and get a yellow card than not make the challenge at all.” Alessandro Circati, Australia defender
“The World Cup is so complex and so difficult. As I told the players, it is incredibly hard to win a match at a World Cup. Some teams may not find it quite so difficult, but those are the teams that are used to reaching the latter stages. For us, winning a World Cup match is very difficult. In fact, if we manage to beat Australia, it will be the first time in history that Paraguay have won two matches at a World Cup.” Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay coach
“We need to try to break them down, take them out of their comfort zone and make the most of the spaces that appear. When the chances come, we have to be clinical. The key will be patience, keeping possession well and building from there. As I said, we have to make the most of every opportunity we get. That will help us grow into the game, gain confidence and make sure the outcome depends on us.” Andres Cubas, Paraguay midfielder
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Located in the city of Santa Clara, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium is one of the newer venues that will be featured at the global showpiece and will host six World Cup matches, including five group fixtures and one knockout game.
Home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers since its opening in 2014, the stadium hosted Super Bowl 60 in February, where Bad Bunny headlined the half-time show with support from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. The venue staged the first match of the Copa America Centenario in June 2016 as Colombia defeated USA, and has also hosted Wrestlemania and the 2015 NHL clash between the LA Kings and San Jose Sharks.