Australia through to Round of 32 after scoreless draw with Paraguay

[p]There was plenty of intrigue surrounding this contest due to the permutation that meant a draw would likely be enough to see both teams through, along with Group D winners [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/usa/fuitL4CF/"]USA[/a].[/p][p]The lack of real goalmouth action in a turgid first half did little to allay fears that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/paraguay/YaNlqp6j/"]Paraguay[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/australia/xSrf6qMM/"]Australia[/a] may be content with a point apiece, even if the latter showed a little more intent with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/irvine-jackson/SvwMecZH/"]Jackson Irvine[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bos-jordan/fZFBMyjl/"]Jordan Bos[/a] and the lively [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/volpato-cristian/2B5YqXFG/"]Cristian Volpato[/a] all forcing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gill-orlando/d6RBYBBD/"]Orlando Gill[/a] into routine stops.[/p][image alt="Match Stats" id="96dd8e13-88bf-4e98-9467-1db7ec649f12" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="df627e34-fc0e-4ed9-bd43-a12e37093c99" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Paraguay eventually registered a shot on target through HT substitute Maurício, whose drive from distance required [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/beach-patrick/d6MmYtl5/"]Patrick Beach[/a] to make his first meaningful intervention within five minutes of the restart. But rather than lighting the blue touch paper, Maurício’s effort proved to be a rare chance in an attritional half that continued in a similar pattern to the cagey first period.[/p][p]As time drifted on, the onus was on Gustavo Alfaro’s side to conjure up a late winner that would offer up a more winnable Round of 32 tie.[/p][image alt="Match Momentum" id="5d95734e-a5ce-4ccc-b8c0-9c283375d2dd" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="e74a67bb-aabc-41e4-9b21-28a04f943b61" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p]However, a distinct lack of composure was clear to see when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/enciso-julio/f19S9MEi/"]Julio Enciso[/a] dragged a low strike harmlessly wide, before Maurício fired straight at the goalkeeper and Australia’s Bos whipped a left-footed shot wide of the far post in a late flurry of action that arrived too late as both sides stood firm to claim their second clean sheets of the tournament.[/p][p]More importantly, the Socceroos remained above their opponents on goal difference to set up a knockout clash against the Group G runners-up, while Paraguay are set to face a group winner if and when their spot in the last 32 is confirmed.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gill-orlando/d6RBYBBD/"]Orlando Gill[/a] (Paraguay)[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/australia-xSrf6qMM/paraguay-YaNlqp6j/?mid=lGmJTJSg"][b]Click here for more match and player stats as well as the final standings.[/b][/a][/p]