Group D reaches its final chapter in the early hours of Friday morning. After two wins, the United States have secured top spot and face an already-eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles. That contest holds no competitive stake for either side.
But the other fixture—Paraguay against Australia at Santa Clara, near San Francisco—carries significant weight. Both teams enter level on three points. Australia currently occupies second place thanks to a superior goal difference (0 against -2 for Paraguay). A draw would almost certainly guarantee progression for both, given that four points in the new 48-team format should be enough to finish as one of the best third-placed sides. Paraguay, in particular, would be all but assured of a place in the round of 16.
The question is: will both teams go for the win to claim second place, or will they settle for a share of the spoils that suits their interests? History suggests that when the math works out, teams sometimes choose caution over ambition. The World Cup has seen its share of third-round matches where opponents simply passed the ball around and ran down the clock. Australian and Paraguayan players will have a clearer picture after the results of Groups E and F come in. If those results go their way, staying up until 4 a.m. might not be worth the effort.
