La Albirroja bowed out of the 2026 World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Australia that left them third in Group D. Gustavo Alfaro’s Paraguay failed to break down the Socceroos’ deep defensive block at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, and now must rely on other results to advance to the Round of 16.
What happened in San Francisco?
The match was a tactical stalemate as Australia sat deep in a mid-block, ceding possession to Paraguay. The Guarani arrived on the back of one win, two draws and two losses in their last five games (LDDWL). Antonio Sanabria and Santiago Arzamendia led the attack, but the Paraguayan frontline repeatedly hit a wall against a compact Australian backline that stretched across the pitch.
Paraguay’s last result before this game was the 0-1 loss to France on July 4, 2026. In that match, they showed flashes of quality but were undone by French defensive solidity - a pattern that repeated against the Socceroos.
Why does this third-place finish sting?
Paraguay finished the group stage with three points and a goal difference of -2, sitting behind Ecuador, Sweden and Bosnia in the best third-place table. They need at least four points to secure advancement, but their path is steep: rivals like DR Congo, Ghana or Algeria could surpass that threshold depending on their remaining fixtures.
Paraguay do edge Scotland, South Korea and the winner of Senegal vs Iraq, but goal difference is their Achilles’ heel. Alfaro admitted his side was “manacled” by Australia’s defensive resoluteness, and now the technical staff must dissect how to adjust their approach ahead of the next cycle.
What’s next for Paraguay?
Alfaro’s team will return to base camp to map out scenarios. The key lies in other groups: if Ecuador or Bosnia pick up points in their final matches, Paraguay’s goal difference could consign them to an early exit. The last World Cup where Paraguay advanced past the group stage was in 2010, and the pressure to repeat that feat grows with every tournament.
In the meantime, the players will focus on regaining confidence. Miguel Almirón and Adam Bareiro are expected to lead the attack in training, searching for solutions to a defensive block that has already cost them in two World Cup games.
