Paraguay defeated Australia 2-1 in their Group D encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving the Socceroos on the brink of elimination. Goals from Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria secured the win for Paraguay, while Australia's sole reply came from Craig Goodwin.
Match Summary
The match, played at a packed stadium, saw Paraguay take control early. Almirón opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. Australia struggled to find their rhythm, and Sanabria doubled Paraguay's lead in the 35th minute with a powerful header from a corner.
Australia pulled one back just before half-time through Goodwin, who slotted home after a defensive mix-up. However, Paraguay held firm in the second half, withstanding pressure from the Socceroos to claim all three points.
Group D Implications
This result leaves Australia with just one point from two matches, while Paraguay have four points. The Socceroos must now beat their final group opponents and hope other results go their way to advance. Paraguay, meanwhile, are in a strong position to reach the knockout stage.
According to coach Graham Arnold, "We gave it everything, but we made too many mistakes at the back. We still have a chance, and we'll fight until the end."
Key Statistics
- Possession: Paraguay 47% – 53% Australia
- Shots on target: Paraguay 5 – 3 Australia
- Corners: Paraguay 4 – 6 Australia
- Fouls: Paraguay 14 – 10 Australia
Paraguay's victory was built on defensive solidity and efficient counter-attacking, while Australia dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
