After two weeks of exciting fixtures, Group D of the World Cup has officially concluded. Co-hosts USA topped the group with two early wins, Australia claimed second place on goal difference ahead of Paraguay in third, while Türkiye exited the tournament at the group stage. Here’s a detailed look at the highs and lows from Group D.

There were a couple of contenders for the best match of the group, both involving the USMNT. The final encounter against Türkiye turned into a thrilling end-to-end affair. The USA struck early, but Türkiye responded strongly to lead at halftime. Sebastian Berhalter levelled things for the hosts before Türkiye snatched a dramatic winner in the 98th minute. However, with several reserve players on both sides and no bearing on the standings, the opening match between USA and Paraguay stands out as the best of the group.

It was an ideal start to what American fans hope will be a deep World Cup campaign. The Los Angeles Stadium was packed with supporters and celebrities, and the spectacle lived up to the occasion.

The first half performance from the USMNT ranks among the finest seen in the tournament so far. Christian Pulisic rediscovered his old magic following a modest season at AC Milan. He dazzled through two Paraguayan defenders to force an early own goal and then set up Folarin Balogun for the second with a precise assist. Balogun, the Monaco striker, completed his brace before halftime with a superb left-foot finish into the top corner.

Pulisic was substituted at halftime, and with his departure, much of the USA’s attacking intensity faded. Paraguay improved in the second half and pulled one back through substitute Mauricio on the counter. The Americans sealed the win in style when Gio Reyna came off the bench to score a magnificent trivela, completing a dominant 4-1 victory for the Stars and Stripes and setting the tone for their group campaign.

While the USA’s 3-2 defeat to Türkiye grabbed headlines, the other two Group D teams were also concluding their group stage with a decisive clash. Australia and Paraguay both understood that a draw would see them through. Australia’s superior goal difference ensured second place, while Paraguay’s four points were enough to qualify as one of the best third-place teams. The result matched expectations as both sides played out a forgettable 0-0 draw, combining for just 0.79 expected goals in a match dominated by disciplined defending.

Before the tournament, many questioned the USA’s midfield depth. Manager Mauricio Pochettino made the bold call to leave defensive midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris at home, entering the competition with only four natural double-pivot options — one of them being Malik Tillman.

The German-American midfielder endured a difficult first season at Bayer Leverkusen, joining as a record signing to replace Florian Wirtz but failing to deliver a single assist and ending the season as a substitute. Traditionally an attacking midfielder, Tillman has been deployed deeper alongside Tyler Adams and has excelled in that role. His through ball for Balogun’s second goal against Paraguay was exquisite, and he dominated the midfield, creating three chances and taking five shots — both joint-highs for the team. Against Australia, he was equally impressive, combining defensive tenacity with creativity. If Tillman maintains this form, the USA could cause major surprises in the knockout rounds.

Australia, meanwhile, found a new hero in goal. While veteran Maty Ryan, with 104 caps, was expected to start as captain, coach Tony Popović entrusted 22-year-old Patrick Beach of Melbourne City. Beach had impressed in a pre-tournament friendly against Switzerland and was rewarded with the starting role versus Türkiye. He repaid that faith spectacularly, making eight saves to secure a clean sheet as the Socceroos stunned the group favourites with a 2-0 upset. Beach continued his fine form with another shutout against Paraguay, making two key saves to help Australia advance.

Türkiye entered the World Cup as a dark horse, boasting two rising stars in Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Juventus winger Kenan Yıldız. However, the pair struggled to meet the lofty expectations placed upon them. Güler displayed flashes of brilliance, but Yıldız, hampered by an injury, failed to deliver in crucial moments. Coming on at halftime against Australia with his team trailing, Yıldız had 10 touches in the opposition box and six shots — all blocked. Starting against Paraguay, he again managed 10 touches and six shots but only one on target. Türkiye failed to score in consecutive games and were eliminated with a match to spare. In the final game, Yıldız endured his poorest showing, creating no chances, completing no dribbles, and failing to test the keeper. At just 21, he has time on his side, but this was not the debut he hoped for.

Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla endured a nightmare start to his World Cup journey. Tasked with containing Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman, he scored an own goal just seven minutes into the opening match against the USA. He lost all four duels and was dribbled past four times before being substituted at halftime, with Paraguay trailing 3-0. He was benched for the second match but came on at halftime after a red card reduced his team to 10 men. In that half, he completed only one pass. Though Paraguay scraped a victory, Bobadilla’s struggles saw him limited to a brief cameo in the final group game.

Group D also saw some of the tournament’s most bizarre moments, courtesy of Paraguay’s veteran playmaker Miguel Almirón. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced several new rules before the World Cup, and Almirón inadvertently demonstrated how not to adapt to them. In the second half against the USA, Almirón went down under minimal contact from Tim Ream and initially won a free kick. Referee Danny Makkelie booked Ream, but VAR intervened under the new mistaken identity rule, overturning the card and instead cautioning Almirón for simulation. Things worsened in the match against Türkiye when Almirón became the first player ever sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent — a new regulation introduced following a controversial Champions League incident involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior. It’s safe to say Almirón’s group stage didn’t go as planned, though it certainly grabbed attention.

With Group D concluded, the USA will head to the Bay Area for their round of 32 tie against Bosnia & Herzegovina, featuring American-born star Esmir Bajraktarević, on July 1 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Australia will face Egypt, the second-place side from Group G, on July 3 at 2pm ET / 11am PT in Dallas, Texas. Paraguay, having advanced as one of the top third-place teams, will meet Germany in Boston on Monday, July 29 at 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT. Türkiye, meanwhile, are heading home after finishing bottom of Group D.