Paraguay Secures Dramatic World Cup Victory Over Turkey, Eliminating Opponents

Ten-man Paraguay secured a vital 1-0 victory over Turkey in a tense Group D encounter at the FIFA World Cup, a result that sends the Turkish team home and breathes new life into Paraguay’s campaign. The South American side weathered a relentless Turkish onslaught for the majority of the match, holding firm after Matías Galarza’s early strike.

Fastest Goal of the Tournament

Paraguay exploded out of the blocks, scoring just 64 seconds into the match. Matías Galarza unleashed a powerful long-range shot that found the back of the net, marking the fastest goal scored in the World Cup thus far. This early breakthrough, coming after a heavy opening match defeat to the USA, visibly lifted the Paraguayan spirits and set the tone for their defensive resolve.

Almirón Sent Off

The crucial turning point in the second half came with the dismissal of Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón. The Newcastle United player was shown a red card for remarks made to Turkish defender Mert Muldur, with his hand covering his mouth. Playing with ten men for the entire second half presented a significant challenge, but Paraguay’s defense remained resolute.

Turkish Dominance, Ineffective Finishing

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Paraguay managed to hold on. Turkey dominated possession for large spells, at one point controlling 79% of the ball, and registered an impressive 32 attempts on goal. However, their finishing proved to be their undoing, mirroring their struggles in their opening match loss. Players like Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler had opportunities, but could not find a way past a determined Paraguayan defense.

Group D Standings and Implications

The win confirmed the United States as Group D winners, following their earlier 2-0 victory over Australia. The result means that Paraguay and Australia will now compete for second place in their upcoming fixture, with Turkey eliminated from the tournament with no points.

Player and Coach Reactions

Matías Galarza expressed his elation after the match, stating, “We showed our quality fighting spirit even with one player down. God wanted this to happen for Paraguay more than ever before.” Turkey’s coach, Vincenzo Montella, conveyed his disappointment but also pride in his team’s effort. “I’m sad but I’m also very proud of my players. They gave everything right up until the final whistle. That’s what football’s like,” he commented.

Paraguay’s World Cup History

Paraguay, often known as “La Albirroja,” last featured in the World Cup in 2010, where they achieved their best-ever performance by reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated by the eventual champions, Spain. This victory represents a significant step towards potentially replicating that success.

Key facts

This result is significant for FootballGames10 readers as it dramatically alters the landscape of Group D in the FIFA World Cup. For fans following the tournament, it highlights the importance of clinical finishing and defensive resilience, even when reduced to ten men. The early exit of Turkey and the confirmed progression of the USA provide clear context for the remaining group matches.

Source: The Guardian Football – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/turkey-paraguay-world-cup-2026-group-d-match-report