Turkiye Crash Out of FIFA World Cup 2026 After 1-0 Defeat to 10-Man Paraguay
Galarza’s early strike proves decisive as Paraguay keep knockout hopes alive despite second-half pressure and a red card
Turkiye’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign came to a disappointing end after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in a dramatic Group Stage clash on Friday.
Paraguay stunned Turkiye with an early breakthrough, as Matias Galarza found the net just 65 seconds into the match. The South American side then adopted a disciplined defensive approach, frustrating Turkiye throughout the contest.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Turkiye failed to find the finishing touch. The European side registered 32 shots, but only five were on target, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.
The match took another dramatic turn just before halftime when Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. The referee ruled that Almirón had violated FIFA and IFAB regulations by covering his mouth while directing comments at an opponent during a confrontation.
Playing with a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Turkiye pushed relentlessly for an equaliser. Kenan Yildiz, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Merih Demiral all came close, while Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto Fernández produced several key saves to preserve his side’s lead.
Demiral nearly rescued a point deep into stoppage time, but his header narrowly missed the target as Paraguay held firm to secure a crucial victory.
The result keeps Paraguay’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive, while Turkiye exit the tournament in their first World Cup appearance since 2002.
Key Highlights:
Paraguay defeated Turkiye 1-0 in a crucial Group Stage match.
Matias Galarza scored the winning goal after just 65 seconds.
Miguel Almirón received a red card before halftime after a VAR review. Turkiye managed 32 shots but failed to score.
Paraguay remain in contention for the knockout stage, while Turkiye are eliminated.
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