“Paraguay defeats Turkey, eliminates them from the World Cup and survives with ten players”

Santa Clara, California. The Paraguay national team achieved a valuable 1-0 victory over Turkey on the second matchday of Group D of the 2026 World Cup, a result that keeps their aspirations of advancing to the round of 32 alive and leaves the Europeans mathematically eliminated.

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The only goal of the match came just 64 seconds into the game by Matías Galarza, who set the fastest goal of the tournament so far and gave the Albirroja a lead they managed to defend for the rest of the match.

The squad led by Gustavo Alfaro had to face an additional challenge before halftime when Miguel Almirón was sent off following an action sanctioned under the new disciplinary regulations implemented by FIFA. The Paraguayan attacker received a red card after covering his mouth while addressing an opponent, becoming the first footballer sent off in a World Cup under this rule.

With one man down for the entire second half, Paraguay withstood the constant pressure from Turkey, which monopolized ball possession and insistently sought an equalizer. However, the South Americans’ solid defensive performance and the Turks’ lack of precision prevented any comeback.

The defeat marked the second consecutive setback for the team led by Vincenzo Montella, which was left without options to advance to the next round before playing its last group stage match.

Following this result, Paraguay has three points and will play for qualification in the final matchday against Australia, while the United States has already secured its ticket to the round of 32 after stringing together two victories.

The match played at the San Francisco Bay Stadium will also be marked by Galarza’s historic goal and by the first expulsion recorded under the so-called “Prestianni Law,” one of the regulatory novelties of the 2026 World Cup.