Socceroos v Paraguay LIVE updates: Australia face crucial World Cup clash in Santa Clara; Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0; Ecuador beat Germany 2-1

The Netherlands have won a free kick high in their attacking half after a foul by Rani Khedira on Donyell Malen.

It’s delivered into the goal where Virgil van Dijk gets there with his head. It’s some quick thinking from van Dijk who instead of attempting to score, heads the ball across the goal to the feet of Brain Brobbey who strikes with his right foot into the top-right corner of the goal. That’s a clever assist and gives the Netherlands a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes.

Tunisia’s keeper Aymen Dahmen looks befuddled.

Netherlands 2-0 Tunisia, 7 minutes

Tunisia get the opening shot in this match in the second minute, but it’s far too high. It was a great start for a side that’s only scored one goal in this tournament and conceded nine.

But just as soon as Tunisia get a chance in front of the Netherlands goal, they score an accidental goal in their own. It’s knocked in by Ellyes Skhiri who was trying to intercept a pass in front of the goal.

A bad tournament for Tunisia has just gotten worse.

Netherlands 1–0 Tunisia, 3 minutes

We’re turning to Group F now, with games in Dallas and Kansas. The Netherlands and Japan are leading the group with four points and the exact same goal difference. Meanwhile, Sweden is in third place with three points and Tunisia will leave the competition after the group stage regardless of the outcome today because of their points and goal difference (unless they beat the Netherlands by nine goals).

Sweden will be looking for a win or a draw over Japan to progress to the round of 32. They can still progress with a loss, but it won’t be guaranteed, especially if they lose by several goals.

Both matches are now under way.

As Scotland nervously wait until all the group matches are completed to see if they will qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, they probably won’t have expected Ecuador to beat Germany and bump them to the bottom of the list of eight.

They’ll sleep easier tonight if Australia beat Paraguay by at least two goals, while hoping that Japan beat Sweden by more than three.

Group E has now finished, with three teams progressing to the Round of 32. Germany and the Ivory Coast will progress as the first and second finishers, while Ecuador’s win over Germany gave them a crucial three points to leave them with a total of four – which means they are guaranteed to finish as one of the best third-placed teams.

Take a look:

There were many times when the Socceroos could have – some would say even should have – given up on Cristian Volpato.

For whatever reason, Paul Okon snr never did. Based on the early evidence, Australia owes him one for his dogged persistence. It may yet be the key to their World Cup ambitions.

Okon led the mission to convince Volpato to switch his allegiance from Italy to Australia, setting up the most dramatic World Cup selection move in Socceroos history with his last-minute inclusion into Tony Popovic’s squad – a twist that only those directly involved knew was coming.

Read the full inside story here.

That’s full-time in New Jersey where Ecuador have beaten Germany 2-1, which means their World Cup dream is still alive.

There are tears in the stands and on the pitch as players and fans celebrate the win.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the Ivory Coast have also qualified for the round of 32 after securing a 2-0 win against Curacao.

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro believes he has the ingredients to create history with his side and, in doing so, put the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign future in the balance. They will need patience, caution, a way to counter Australia’s height advantage … and some help from above.

“You know, we believe in divine justice, and I think at some point that needs to favour us,” Alfaro told reporters on the eve of the match.

Paraguay enter the match against Australia at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara needing a win to ensure they qualify for the knockout stages and leapfrog the Socceroos into second place in Group D. The United States have already secured first spot.

A draw for La Albirroja, after their upset 1-0 win against Turkey, would probably be enough for them to go through as a third-place qualifier. However, the team that finishes second will get a week off between matches and potentially an easier opponent in the round of 32.

Read more here.