Group D finished: United States 1st, Australia 2nd, Paraguay 3rd, and Turkey 4th

Half of the groups in the first phase of the 2026 World Cup have been completed, and most of the matchups for the Round of 16 are starting to take shape. The group that closed the day of definitions was the Group E, where the United States, despite losing to the eliminated Turkey, finished first, followed by Australia, which drew with third-placed Paraguay.

Paraguay 0-0 Australia

The start of the most important match of the group began with a dominant Australia, controlling possession and having the first dangerous chances, including a shot from Jackson Irvine that goalkeeper Orlando Gill sent to the corner. This rhythm would continue throughout an initial half where there would be no significant incidents to highlight beyond a shot from Cristian Volpato saved by the Paraguayan goalkeeper towards the end.

Although the break could have encouraged Paraguay a bit more, especially given the need to win to advance second, the reality would remain the same as seen up to that point: an oceanic team that, while not intimidating, would constantly pressure them and not allow them to create opportunities.

Only in the final stretch of the match would the Paraguayans remember that they needed to win, but, in addition to not having the last promising chance (a shot from Bos that went close to the left post of Gil), they would not have time to do anything.

Turkey 2-2 United States

In the other match, the United States struck early. In the 2nd minute, from a corner, Sebastian Berhalter sent a pinpoint ball to the foot of an unmarked Auston Trusty, who, after controlling it with one touch, would finish easily to make it 1-0.

Despite the early blow, minutes later Turkey would respond quickly with the equalizer on their first chance: after a great combination of passes that he initiated, Arda Güller would receive a good assist from Baris Yilmaz in the area and would win the duel against goalkeeper Matt Turner.

After this frantic start, the match would enter a tense calm that would last until shortly after the cooling break, when, after a series of rebounds in the area, Mark McKenzie would put the 2-1 for the Americans, although his goal would be disallowed for offside by Ricardo Pepi. The second goal would come moments later from the European team through a great collective play, authored by Orkun Kökçü.

Although they would come close to equalizing again, the hosts would go into halftime with their hopes unfulfilled, which would be satisfied right at the start of the second half. In the 48th minute, after a Turkish defensive clearance, the ball would fall to Berhalter, who with a powerful low shot to the near post of Uğurcan Çakır would make it 2-2.