Live: Socceroos make bright start against Paraguay after selection surprise

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The Socceroos wrap up their 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage with a showdown with Paraguay in San Francisco.

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Connor Metcalfe has gone down and, completely acidentally, Andrés Cubas has been clipped on the eyebrow with the Paraguayan's boot.

There is blood, and Metcalfe is getting patched up.

After the excitement earlier, the crowd has quietened.

It feels like Australian fans are waiting for the Socceroos' on-field dominance to translate to a goal.

They've had 65 per cent possession and two shots — one an awful hoof by Aiden O'Neill — but need to make things count sooner rather than later.

While we're in our first TV time out, it's worth noting that Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro once again voiced his disdain for World Cup hydration breaks on Wednesday, calling for them to be used only in special cases to prevent matches from becoming games of four quarters.

The straight-talking Argentinian, among the most outspoken figures at this World Cup, said football's continuity was being threatened and cooling breaks should only be used in extreme conditions, with agreement from both teams.

"These are more than hydration breaks. I know this applies to everybody, but I like continuity. Football is continuity and continuity is broken," he told a press conference that lasted close to an hour.

Alfaro vented his frustration on Sunday at the drinks breaks, saying they were for commercial interests, while accusing football's business elite of hurting fans with eye-watering ticket prices in a sport played and followed primarily by the working classes.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended cooling breaks, saying their usage was driven purely by sporting considerations.

On Wednesday, Alfaro said the enforced breaks were too long and had prevented his team from getting back into the game during their 4-1 drubbing by the USA, and disrupted their momentum in chasing a second goal in their win over Türkiye.

"We end up having four quarters instead of two halves," he said.

"If this were optional as in the past, people would agree before the match and take into account the temperature and other factors, they would agree on having a break. That's it.

He passes centrally to Connor Metcalfe, who shapes to shoot but the Paraguay defence moves in and blocks it at source.

Volpato has been brilliant in general play so far, but his corners have left a lot to be desired.

Another delivery fails to beat the first man and then, from the left side, Behich delivers an angled ball that beats everyone and goes out for a goal kick.

With such weapons in their arsenal, the Socceroos need a better delivery to make use of them.

That's excellent from Jody Bos, racing up field down the right side and delivering a really teasing cross into the penalty area that has the Paraguay defence in two minds before they eventually clear it.

Aiden O'Neill is taken late by Juan José Cáceres and he's given a talking to by our French referee.

Lucas Herrington with a solid header that leaves Diego Gómez holding his jaw.

I think there was contact from Herrington but it's not a free kick — it's great strength from the young Socceroos man.

Irankunda goes over to get some instructions from Tony Popovic while the Paraguay team complains.

That's great from Pat Beach, racing across to deal with a cross that is deflected towards the goal line, keeping it in and getting the ball before it crosses the line.

He gets it up field to Irankunda who wins a foul on the centre circle with his back to goal.

The ball is spending as much time in the air as it did at the Gabba yesterday, but when it goes up towards the Socceroos' half of the field, the Paraguay players are being left on their backsides rubbing their heads.

A couple of free kicks now against the Socceroos and that's something they'll just need to smooth out a little bit.

That's lovely from Cristian Volpato on the right side; he takes the ball past one, around another and then just overreaches and has it taken off him after he's raced into the penalty area.

I don't think he should try that again — a shot from outside the penalty area is sent well high and over the bar.

Volpato down the right side, he wins a corner kick which he will take, looking for Harry Souttar at the back post.

It's a poor ball, so looping and hard for Souttar to do anything with.

There are four Paraguay defenders on him though and he barely gets his head to it.

Socceroos with the better chances so far and more attacking possession.

Great work from Pat Beach after gathering that cross.

He released it quickly up the field and Nestory Irankunda raced towards the Paraguay penalty area.

The defence is just as quick as he is though and gets back to snuff out the chance.

It's a good run from Irankunda and shows the Socceroos are willing to play quickly.

Jody Bos pulls his opponent's shirt almost off his back after giving the ball away about 30 metres from goal.

It's a good chance for the Paraguayans to get the ball into the penalty area.

They do that but Beach gathers at the back post. Easily and comfortably done.

Jackson Irvine has a shot at the near post that the Socceroo handles very well.

It was Jordy Bos down the right, linking up with Volpato, whose ball inside was so well weighted for Irvine.

It leads to a corner that is whipped in and headed away.

Collisions are coming from all angles, neither side really able to hold the ball particularly well at the moment.

But the challenges are coming and that is something that we expected based on both sides' previous matches.

And Aziz Behich is starting on the left, Jordy Bos on the right.

Even after he names his starting team, Tony Popovic can still spring a surprise.

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