Paraguay vs Australia: why a draw could be the safest bet in World Cup group d

What finale awaits group D? Before the third and final matchday from Thursday into Friday, two certainties: with two wins in two games, the United States have qualified for the round of 16 and are guaranteed top spot. Turkey, their opponent this night in Los Angeles, is already eliminated. That fixture may not be the most spectacular of the World Cup, carrying no sporting stakes for either side.

Attack or run down the clock?

Plenty of goals and twists are far from guaranteed in the other group D match between Paraguay and Australia. The encounter, taking place simultaneously in Santa Clara near San Francisco, holds significant importance: second place. However, both teams are level on three points, with the Socceroos edging Paraguay on goal difference (0 vs -2). If they part with a draw, both would be almost certain to reach the round of 16 because under the new 48-team format, four points should be enough to finish among the best third-placed teams. Paraguay would thus be all but assured of a place in the knockout stage.

Will these two teams go all out for second place and strive for victory, or will they settle for a draw that suits both? Anything is possible, but World Cup history has previously delivered lackluster third group matches where opponents simply kept possession and ran down the clock. In any case, Australians and Paraguayans will have a clearer picture after the final standings of the two groups playing before them (E and F). If results go their way, then staying up until 4am might not be worth it.