Paraguay eliminated Turkey from the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a gritty 1-0 win in Group D. MatÃas Galarza scored after just 65 seconds, and Paraguay held on for the remainder of the match after Miguel Almirón was sent off before half time, ending Turkey tournament with one game still to play.
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| MatÃas Galarza wheels away in celebration after scoring inside the first minute against Turkey FIFA World Cup 2026. |
Turkey arrived at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the tournament most talked about dark horses. After a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in San Francisco, that storyline is already over. Vincenzo Montella side now exits the competition with a game still to play, becoming one of the earliest casualties of the tournament alongside Haiti.
For Paraguay, the result is a turning point. After opening the tournament with a heavy defeat, the South Americans have hauled themselves back into contention for the round of 32 and they did it the hard way, playing more than half the match with ten men.
Match Snapshot
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group D
- Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- Final Score: Turkey 0–1 Paraguay
- Goal: MatÃas Galarza (2')
- Sent Off: Miguel Almirón, Paraguay (45+3')
- Shots: Turkey 32 (5 on target) vs Paraguay 7 (2 on target)
A Lightning Start That Decided the Match
Paraguay needed barely more than a minute to make their mark. Off a flick on from Julio Enciso, midfielder MatÃas Galarza drove a left footed shot into the bottom corner just 65 seconds after kick off one of the fastest goals scored anywhere in this World Cup.
The early blow rattled Turkey, but they responded almost immediately. Mert Muldur rose for a towering header from a well worked free kick routine that crashed off the crossbar and then the post a let off that, in hindsight, would prove costly for the Turkish side.
The Red Card That Changed the Contest
Paraguay afternoon took a dramatic turn in the third minute of first half stoppage time. Miguel Almirón was shown a red card after video review for covering his mouth while exchanging words with Muldur a dismissal made possible under a newer IFAB protocol designed to crack down on attempts to hide communication from match officials.
The decision left Paraguay to play the entire second half more than 45 minutes with only ten men on the pitch. It was a stiff test of discipline and organization, and one the South Americans passed convincingly.
Turkey Wasted Afternoon
What followed was a near constant siege on Paraguay goal. Kenan Yıldız tested the side netting early in the second half. Julio Enciso nearly doubled Paraguay lead at the other end before dragging a chance wide. Deniz Gül headed straight at goalkeeper Orlando Gill from close range. Can Uzun forced a brilliant save in the 89th minute, only for Gül to spurn the rebound. In the dying seconds, Merih Demirál header drifted just wide of the post.
By full time, Turkey had registered an extraordinary 32 shots to Paraguay seven, with an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.10 compared to Paraguay 0.32. None of it mattered on the scoreboard. Orlando Gill finished the match with five saves, and Paraguay back line reduced in numbers but never in resolve refused to break.
Across their last two outings, Turkey have now managed 62 attempts on goal without finding the net once, reportedly the most efforts without scoring across any two match stretch in World Cup history.
What the Result Means for Group D
Turkey: An Early and Costly Exit
Turkey elimination comes after back to back defeats first to Australia, then to Paraguay confirming their exit from the tournament with a final group game still on the calendar. For a squad many had tipped to spring a surprise in the knockout rounds, the inability to convert chances proves the difference between progressing and packing up early.
Paraguay: Hopes Very Much Alive
Paraguay tournament had started on a difficult note, with a 4-1 defeat to co hosts the United States in their opening fixture a game in which an early own goal and a Folarin Balogun brace put the result out of reach early. Beating Turkey, even with a numerical disadvantage for most of the match, gives Paraguay a genuine chance of finishing among the top two in Group D, or at worst securing a third place spot in the wider tournament standings.
Group D now sees the United States sitting on six points after two matches, with Paraguay and Australia both still alive heading into the final round of group fixtures.
Key Takeaways
- Galarza 65 second strike ranks among the fastest goals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
- Almirón's red card under the newer "covering the mouth" VAR protocol shaped the entire second half.
- Turkey 32 shots without a goal underline a finishing crisis rather than a lack of effort.
- Paraguay win keeps their knockout-stage hopes alive despite a rocky start to the group stage.
- Turkey becomes one of the tournament earliest eliminated teams, alongside Haiti.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Paraguay against Turkey?
Midfielder MatÃas Galarza scored the only goal of the match, finishing from inside the box just 65 seconds after kick off.
Why was Miguel Almirón sent off?
Almirón was dismissed in first half stoppage time after a video review showed him covering his mouth while speaking to Turkey Mert Muldur, triggering a red card under a newer IFAB backed rule.
Is Turkey out of the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Following back to back losses to Australia and Paraguay, Turkey has been eliminated from the World Cup 2026 with one group match still to be played.
Can Paraguay still advance to the knockout stage?
Yes. The win over Turkey keeps Paraguay qualification hopes alive for the round of 32, with their final group match still to come.