In a dramatic match at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Paraguay edged out Turkey with a 1-0 win during the second round of Group D at the 2026 World Cup, held on Friday, June 19.
The lone goal of the game came early, just two minutes in, courtesy of Matías Galarza, marking one of the tournament's quickest starts. Moments later, Galarza was handed a yellow card, setting the tone for an intensely charged match.
The game took a significant turn right before halftime as Miguel Almirón was shown a red card in the 45th minute, forcing Paraguay to play with ten men for the entire second half.
Paraguay's Defensive Stand
Down a player, Paraguay hunkered down and withstood a relentless Turkish offensive. Turkey dominated possession with 79%, took 28 shots—five of which were on target—and earned 11 corner kicks. In contrast, Paraguay managed just seven shots with no corners.
Despite the overwhelming control, Turkey failed to find the net. Italian coach Vincenzo Montella received a yellow card in the 63rd minute, mirroring his team's frustration on the sidelines.
A memorable moment occurred in the 71st minute when Turkish substitute E. Elmali, who had just come on in the 70th minute, was booked only a minute later.
Stadium Atmosphere and Team Tactics
The match unfolded before 68,827 fans at Levi's Stadium, with both teams making five substitutions each to try and shift the game's momentum.
As a result of this game, Turkey is mathematically out of the World Cup 2026, having failed to secure any points after their initial 0-2 loss to Australia and now this defeat to Paraguay.
Paraguay, on the other hand, has three points, climbing to third place in Group D of the 2026 World Cup, though their -2 goal difference presents a challenge. Previously, they were defeated 1-4 by the United States in their opening match.
Group D Standings and Future Prospects
Following the second round, the group standings are as follows: the United States leads with six points after a 2-0 victory over Australia, securing their advancement to the next round; Australia is second with three points; Paraguay is third, also with three points; and Turkey, now eliminated, is last with zero points.
For Paraguay to qualify as the second team from the group or as one of the best third-placed teams, they must secure a favorable outcome against Australia in their final match.
Paraguay's World Cup 2026 Journey: Key Questions
How did Paraguay manage to win against Turkey?
Paraguay secured an early lead with a goal from Matías Galarza and maintained a strong defensive performance despite being down to ten men after Miguel Almirón's red card.
What does Paraguay need to advance in the World Cup 2026?
Paraguay must achieve a positive result in their final match against Australia to have a chance at qualifying as the second team in their group or as one of the best third-placed teams.