Matias Galarza scored 65 seconds into the game, and Paraguay held on for a 1-0 win over Turkey in World Cup 2026 Group D on Friday even after being forced to play a man down for more than half the match. The result assured the United States would win Group D and eliminated Turkey from any chance of advancing to the knockout round with its second straight loss. In a tournament run by rules, referees, and video review, Paraguay survived the kind of punishment that usually crushes the side with fewer bodies on the field.
Who Gets Punished
Paraguay’s red card came late in the first half when Miguel Almiron was sent off for violating a new rule banning players from covering their mouth during a confrontation. Almiron and Mert Muldur exchanged words after a foul near midfield. Almiron covered his mouth while saying something to Muldur, who immediately appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment. Barton went to video review and quickly ruled that Almiron would be given a red card and ejected under a new rule put in place for this year’s World Cup.
That decision left Paraguay short-handed for more than half the match, turning the rest of the game into a test of whether a team could withstand the apparatus of discipline and still keep its place in the tournament. Turkey nearly took advantage later in the first half, but Mert Muldur’s header off a free kick hit the cross bar and goal post. Paraguay still led 1-0 at halftime.
The Bottom Endures the Pressure
In the second half, Turkey dominated possession but could not score. Orlando Gill made several key saves to preserve the lead, including a save on a tricky deflection on a shot by Merih Demiral early in the second half, a stop on a long-range attempt from Abdulkerim Bardakci midway through the half, and a save on Can Uzun from in close late in the half before Deniz Gul sent the rebound wide. Merih Demiral’s header late in stoppage time went wide, ending Turkey’s last hope.
The match drew 68,827 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Turkey finished with 32 shots, 51 touches in the box and 12 corners, while Paraguay defended with 10 players after the red card. The Guardian’s live updates said a Calhanoglu shot struck Paraguay captain Gomez in the head late in the match. Paraguay’s goalkeeper was identified as Gill in the live updates, and the updates also said Paraguay made substitutions with Gabriel Avalos on for Julio Enciso and Jose Canale on for the goal-scorer Matias Galarzo, while Gomez was replaced by Gustavo Velazquez.
What the Table Decides
The live updates said Turkey were the first nation to be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup and that Paraguay jumped to third spot, equal on points with Australia on 3, with the two sides to meet in the last game. The live updates also said the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament would advance to the round of 32. Paraguay will face Australia in the final match of the group stage next Thursday with second place in the group on the line, and Paraguay will need to win to finish second.
Paraguay bounced back from a 4-1 loss in the opener against the United States thanks in part to a lineup change made by Gustavo Alfaro. Galarza, who plays for Atlanta United of the MLS, was put into the starting lineup after sitting out the opener and rewarded his coach when he sent a left-footed shot from about 25 yards into the net just 1:05 into the game. Galarza said, “It’s unforgettable. This is the most beautiful stage in the world, playing amongst the best. I’m so proud. I hope that Paraguay is happy.”
Andres Cubas said, “It was very hard. These games are very tough, especially one man down. We have to highlight the great group effort and commitment we showed as a team to keep fighting and do this until the end.” Arda Guler called Turkey’s performance at the World Cup “embarrassing.” He said, “We should have scored some goals. We should have won these games so apologies to the Turkish people.” Turkey qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2002 and had high hopes after reaching the quarterfinals of the European championships two years ago but was unable to advance despite entering the tournament as a favorite to advance from the group. The 62 shots in two games for Turkey were the most in any two-game span without scoring as far as records go back to 1966, according to Opta Stats.
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said, “I’m sad. I’m sad but I’m also very proud of my players. They gave absolutely everything right up until the final whistle. That’s what football is like. ... We came very close to equalizing but you also need to accept situations like this.”