By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI-Paraguay produced a heroic defensive display to defeat Turkiye 1-0 and eliminate the European side from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday night in California.
Matias Galarza scored the fastest goal of the tournament just 64 seconds into the match, firing a powerful long-range strike past the Turkish goalkeeper to give Paraguay an early lead. The goal surpassed the previous fastest strike of the competition, scored by Morocco’s Ismael Saibari after 71 seconds against Scotland.
Despite being reduced to 10 men before halftime, Paraguay held firm against relentless Turkish pressure to secure a famous victory at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Miguel Almiron was shown a red card in first-half stoppage time following an exchange with Turkish defender Mert Muldur. After a VAR review, officials applied FIFA’s new disciplinary rule that punishes players who cover their mouths during confrontational situations, making it the first such dismissal at the 2026 World Cup.
Turkiye dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match. Vincenzo Montella’s side registered 32 attempts on goal but failed to convert any of their chances, continuing a worrying trend after their opening defeat. Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid star Arda Guler were among the players unable to find a breakthrough.
The result leaves Turkiye with two defeats from two matches, ending their World Cup campaign before the group stage concludes. Paraguay, meanwhile, revived their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds with a spirited performance that showcased determination and resilience.
Following the match, Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella expressed disappointment but praised his players’ commitment.
“I am sad, but I am also very proud of my players. They gave everything until the final whistle. That is football,” he said.
For Galarza, the match marked one of the greatest moments of his career.
“We showed our quality and fighting spirit even with one player down. God wanted this victory for Paraguay more than ever before,” the midfielder said.
Paraguay’s victory also confirmed the United States as Group D winners after their earlier 2-0 win over Australia.
The South Americans, known as La Albirroja, are seeking to match or surpass their historic quarterfinal run at the 2010 World Cup, their best performance in the competition to date.
