What will be the final outcome for group D? Before the third and last matchday from Thursday to Friday, two things are certain: with two wins in two matches, the United States have already qualified for the knockout stage and are sure to finish top. Turkey, their opponent this night in Los Angeles, is already eliminated. So don’t expect that fixture to be the most thrilling of the tournament — it has no sporting stakes for either side.
Attack or kill the clock?
But seeing lots of goals and drama is also far from guaranteed in the other group D match between Paraguay and Australia. This clash, kicking off simultaneously in Santa Clara near San Francisco, carries real weight: second place. Yet both teams are level on three points, with the Socceroos ahead of Paraguay on goal difference (0 vs -2). If they part with a draw, they 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 eight best third-placed sides. Paraguay would then be virtually sure of playing in the round of 16.
Will these two teams push for second place and fight for a win, or will they settle for a draw that suits both? Anything is possible, but World Cup history has already seen third group matches where both sides simply passed the ball around and ran down the clock. In any case, Australians and Paraguayans will have a clearer picture after the final standings in groups E and F, which play before them. And if results go their way, staying awake until 4 a.m. might not be worth it.
