World Cup Group D Round 3 Preview: Turkey vs USA a Formality, Paraguay Aims to Beat Australia to Advance

On June 26 at 10 AM Beijing time, two games in the third round of World Cup Group D will kick off at the same time: Turkey versus the United States, and Paraguay against Australia.

After the first two rounds, the host nation USA has won both games for 6 points, already securing first place. Australia and Paraguay both have 3 points, ranking second and third respectively, with Australia holding a two-goal advantage in goal difference. Turkey, with two losses and 0 points, has been eliminated.

Turkey vs USA: Turkey is ranked 32nd in the world, with a total squad value of €474 million, an average age of 27.2, and 9 players from the top five European leagues. USA is ranked 14th, with a squad value of €386 million, an average age of 26.4, and 13 players from the top five leagues.

Turkey has already been eliminated, and the USA has secured the top spot, making this match a mere formality. Turkey's squad strength is decent, but their defense has been poor; they conceded first and then mounted furious attacks without success, taking 62 shots in two games without scoring. This will be Turkey's final match of the tournament, playing for pride. The USA is likely to rotate heavily to conserve energy for the knockout stage. Therefore, this match is hard to predict since it is meaningless. Considering Turkey's desire to score in their World Cup farewell, the Crescent Star team will still attack aggressively. If the USA plays on the counterattack, they might avoid defeat.

In summary, this match favors the USA to remain unbeaten.

The two teams have faced each other five times, with Turkey winning three and losing two. Interestingly, all five matches ended with a 2-1 scoreline.

Injury and suspension updates: Turkey (none); USA has Roldan.

Paraguay vs Australia: Paraguay is ranked 37th in the world, with a total squad value of €154 million, an average age of 28.5, and 4 players from the top five leagues. Australia is ranked 25th, with a squad value of €77.45 million, an average age of 26.9, and 5 players from the top five leagues.

In this match, both teams have 3 points. A draw would essentially see both advance together, while a win would decide the runner-up. Both sides are stronger defensively than offensively. Relatively speaking, Paraguay has better technical skills on the ball, typical of a South American team. Australia relies on counter-attacks, using two black forwards as attacking threats, while tall defenders pack the backline, reducing gaps between them. It depends on Paraguay's approach: do they aim for third place or second? Almiron is suspended, so Enciso will be the dribbler and the main weapon to break down the defense. Paraguay is likely to dominate possession and will need quick passing or long-range shots to breach Australia's compact defense. Overall, Paraguay is stronger than Australia. This match is also hard to predict because a draw sends both through, but a 0-0 is not guaranteed; once a goal is scored, the other team will mount a fierce attack.

In conclusion, Paraguay is favored to defeat Australia and advance as group runners-up.

The two teams have met twice, with Paraguay drawing once and losing once, though those matches were long ago.

Injury and suspension updates: Paraguay hasAlmiron (red card suspension); Australia hasLeckie.

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