World Cup: St. Pauli duo start as Australia and Paraguay battle for Round of 32 spot
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Paraguay and Australia go head-to-head in the last round of Group D at the 2026 World Cup. Both teams are tied with three points as they aim to follow the co-hosts USA in the Round of 32.
A draw would probably see both teams qualify for the knockout stages since four points is usually more than enough in the ranking of third-placed teams. Australia will finish second if they avoid defeat, while Paraguay’s damaging goal difference could see them miss out on the Round of 32 if they end the group with three points.
St. Pauli duo Connor Metcalfe and Jackson Irvine are both in the starting lineup for Australia. The captain of the relegated team from Bundesliga came on as a substitute in the previous two games, while Metcalfe scored the second goal in the 2-0 victory over Türkiye.
Confirmed Paraguay vs. Australia Lineups
Paraguay: Gill; Cáceres, Velázquez, G. Gómez ©, Alderete, Maidana; D. Gómez, Cubas, Galarza, Enciso; Avalos
Australia: Beach; Herrington, Circati, Souttar ©; Bos, Irvine, O'Neill, Behich; Volpato, Metcalfe; Touré
