Khaberni - Fans accused the Australian and Paraguayan teams of deliberately drawing in "the worst match in World Cup history" – demanding an "investigation" into the matter.
Both teams knew that a goalless draw would ensure they finished the group stage with four points each, behind the group leader, the United States.
According to the British newspaper "The Sun", it was almost certain that this would be enough for both teams to qualify for the knockout stage, and the boring 0-0 draw in San Francisco achieved the desired goal, securing Australia second place with a goal difference of zero, while Paraguay took third place with a goal difference of -2. However, this ensured their qualification among the best third-placed teams.
However, the dull draw sparked a wave of widespread criticism from fans who doubted the integrity of the match.
One said on "X": Paraguay and Australia are playing the worst match in World Cup history, and perhaps in the history of humanity.
Another added: Is there collusion between Paraguay and Australia?
A third commented: The match between Paraguay and Australia was the most obvious draw ever, both teams will qualify to the knockout stage and everyone is satisfied.
A fourth commented: Australia and Paraguay are playing for the draw.
A fifth wrote: Paraguay and Australia's teams should be investigated. They clearly agreed that no one would win. This turns the World Cup into a farce.
A user joked: If you ever want to watch 22 players pretending to play football while being very careful not to score by mistake, watch the Paraguay and Australia match now, the teams' mutual qualification with the draw has turned this match into a light jogging session.
Others compared the match to the "Disgrace of Gijón" at the 1982 World Cup. The memory of Austria's defeat by West Germany 0-1 in the 1982 edition in Spain still lingers in the tournament's record as one of its worst scandals under the name "Disgrace of Gijón," after both teams secured a result that allowed them to advance together at the expense of Algeria on goal difference.
