Socceroos reach World Cup last 32 after draw with Paraguay

Australia needed only a draw against Paraguay, and a goalless result in the San Francisco Bay Area stadium secured the Socceroos a place in the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time in their history. A much-changed Australia side controlled large parts of the match, but with both teams aware a draw would be enough there were long stretches without real impetus.

The result hands Tony Popovic’s team second place in Group D. Jordy Bos and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington were among Australia’s best performers, the young defender assured on his World Cup debut. Herrington became the youngest Socceroo to start at a World Cup and began calmly, distributing under pressure and asserting himself physically as he grew into the contest.

Paraguay largely sat back and ceded possession, and Australia’s clearest openings came down the right through the Bos–Cristian Volpato combination. Volpato drew a lunge that created space for Bos, whose 20m shot was saved by Orlando Gil.

Australia, San Francisco Bay Area

socceroos, world cup, paraguay, san francisco, tony popovic, jordy bos, lucas herrington, cristian volpato, orlando gil, group d