Australia Draw With Paraguay But Into Knock-Outs, US Beaten By Türkiye

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26 (Bernama-dpa) -- Australia played out a goalless draw with Paraguay on Thursday but that was enough for the Socceroos to secure a spot in the knock-out stage of the World Cup, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Paraguay will have to wait and see if they advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Co-hosts United States (US), meanwhile, had already qualified as Group D winners but were beaten 3-2 by Türkiye in the final group stage match. Türkiye had already been eliminated.

The US took an early lead as the unmarked Auston Trusty fired the ball into the net in the third minute from Sebastian Berhalter's corner.

Türkiye didn't take long to hit back and Arda Güler scored his maiden World Cup goal in the 10th.

Baris Yilmaz fired a pass to the Real Madrid star, who controlled the ball before striking a clinical finish beyond goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Mark McKenzie thought he had restored the US's lead but his goal was ruled for offside in the 29th.

And just two minutes later, Türkiye were ahead. Güler found Eren Elmali and he cut the ball back for Orkun Kokcu's finish.

But the US levelled early in the second half. The Turkish defence failed to clear the area after a throw-in and Berhalter collected the ball to fire it into the net from the edge of the box.

The US had plenty of chances to score a third, most obviously in the 63rd when substitute Christian Pulisic hit the post.

They failed to hit the target again but Kaan Ayhan didn't waste his chance and gave Türkiye a last-gasp win with a goal deep into stoppage-time.

The World Cup co-hosts have now scored eight goals at the 2026 tournament, beating their previous best of seven in 1930 and 2002.

Türkiye had nothing else to play for in their farewell match but at least became the 47th nation to score a goal in this World Cup.

Only Panama have yet to score. They are already eliminated but can still try to score a goal in the final group stage match against England on Saturday.

-- BERNAMA-dpa