We've mostly covered the United States final second loss to Turkey but there was another more important game going on simultaneously to decide second place...if you want to call Australia-Paraguay a game which we'll get too.
TURKEY 3, UNITED STATES 2
So you already have my three thoughts and Sam's recap but I want to focus on the positives in this game.
Someone finally let Turkey play an open game so we saw Arda Guler and Turkey play like they are capable of. Yes, this is not something the USA should have let happen but it was nice to see the Madrid wonderkid have a breakout game and see why this team was pegged as second favorites so long as they aren't playing against a low block.
Jake Catanese
Auston Trusty was fantastic in the game and nearly set up the USA's first goal a minute earlier when Turkey couldn't clear their lines and he had a good look through traffic from about 12 yards out Ugurcan Cakir saved and was eventually cleared for the ensuing corner he would score on. The USA also had a goal chalked off for offside at the half hour mark with the ensuing possession leading to Turkey's go-ahead goal to make it 2-1.
Weston McKennie, Seb Berhalter, and Trusty were about the only bright spots aside from Christian Pulisic getting a solid half hour of work coming back from injury. Interesting news breaking in the afternoon that the USMNT want to keep Pochettino around for the next cycle so we'll keep an eye on that.
AUSTRALIA 0, PARAGUAY 0
Honestly not a whole lot to talk about in this one. Australia were much more adventurous in the first half with midfielder Jackson Irvine forcing an early save in the 4th minute. Australia did get the majority of their chances in the first frame from inside the area but the game devolved into a rather meager offensive match.
Jordan Bos' late solo run in the closing minutes with advantage being played probably the best chance the Socceroos had in stealing this one but after the fullback cut inside to his left he couldn't get much on the shot to test the keeper.
Sam Lattof
Paraguay managed just 0.24 xG on 2-for-5 shooting with Australia not much better at 0.55 on a 5-for-12 attacking effort. Each team tallied a late shot on goal in stoppage time from medium range but neither effort tested the keepers with Patrick Beach (2 saves) getting his second shutout of the tournament and Orlando Gil (5 saves) earning his first.
GROUP OVERVIEW
A look at the final Group D standings as the @USMNT heads into the Knockout Round pic.twitter.com/CkvV5ArH3t
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2026
The United States knew it's knockout round opponent would be Esmir Bajraktarevic and Bosnia and Herzegovina prior to kickoff based on other results. The Dragons securing third place in Group B with a win over Qatar yesterday.
Australia meanwhile held on to second place and will face the second place team from Group G which is currently led by Egypt on four points followed by Iran and Belgium with two.
Paraguay is almost assured a third place spot with four points but that isn't guaranteed with their negative goal difference they aren't in nearly as much peril as say Scotland is on three points. I think their most likely opponent is Germany but that is subject to change.
