Ten-man Paraguay produced a heroic defensive display to defeat Turkey 1-0 and eliminate them from the 2026 World Cup, while securing top spot for the United States in Group D.
Midfielder Matias Galarza scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far, striking a low rocket from 25 metres just 64 seconds into the match on Friday.
Paraguay’s task became even tougher when Miguel Almiron received a straight red card in first-half stoppage time for covering his mouth during a confrontation with Turkey’s Mert Muldur — the first sending-off under the tournament’s new rule on the gesture.bce90d
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Paraguay held firm against sustained Turkish pressure to claim a famous victory in a remarkable recovery from their 4-1 opening defeat to the United States.
The result confirmed the United States as group winners and ended Turkey’s campaign at the expanded World Cup.
