SAN FRANCISCO, June 26 -- Nestory Irankunda had held the record for twelve days. On Thursday night at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, the 19-year-old stood next to Lucas Herrington before kickoff and told him: "Stay calm, do your thing." Then he watched Herrington take the record, Australia's youngest ever to start a World Cup match, and play like someone who had never needed the advice.

Australia drew 0-0 with Paraguay in their Group D finale, earning the point that sends them to the World Cup Round of 32 for only the third time in their history. The 2006 side reached the last 16 and lost to Italy on a penalty in stoppage time. The 2022 side went the same distance before losing to Argentina. The 2026 version faces Iran at AT&T Stadium i...