Paraguay Edge Past Turkiye 1-0 Despite Late Red Card in Tense World Cup Clash

Paraguay earned a vital 1-0 victory over Turkiye in a fiercely contested FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage encounter, overcoming a second-half onslaught despite being reduced to ten men before halftime.

The South Americans stunned their opponents by taking the lead just 65 seconds into the match. Matias Galarza finished clinically after a clever setup from Julio Enciso, scoring the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

Turkiye dominated possession for large periods and created several scoring opportunities through Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Kenan Yıldız. However, the Turkish side struggled to find a breakthrough, wasting a series of promising chances.

The match's biggest controversy arrived in first-half stoppage time when Miguel Almirón received a straight red card following a VAR review. The Paraguayan midfielder was penalized under FIFA and IFAB regulations for covering his mouth while speaking during a confrontation with an opponent.

Despite being down to ten men, Paraguay remained disciplined defensively and frustrated Turkiye throughout the second half. Goalkeeper Gatito Fernández delivered a composed performance, while the defense stood firm against sustained pressure.

Turkiye finished the match with 20 attempts on goal but failed to capitalize, leaving their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. Paraguay, meanwhile, secured three crucial points to remain firmly in the race for a place in the knockout stages.

Final Score: Paraguay 1-0 Turkiye Goal: Matias Galarza (2') Red Card: Miguel Almirón (45+)

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