Paraguay Secures Crucial Win Against Turkiye in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

In a thrilling encounter, Paraguay clinched a crucial 1-0 victory against Turkiye, enhancing their chances of advancing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The match saw Paraguay take an early lead, followed by a tense first half filled with missed opportunities and a red card for Miguel Almiron. Despite being down to ten men, Paraguay held on to secure their first win of the tournament, while Turkiye's hopes of progressing were dashed. Their final group match against the United States will now only serve as a matter of pride.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 20, 2026, 11:50 IST

Paraguay's Victory Boosts World Cup Aspirations

In a significant boost to their FIFA World Cup 2026 ambitions, Paraguay achieved a narrow 1-0 victory over Turkiye in Group D, earning three essential points and eliminating the European team from advancing to the Round of 32.

A Quick Lead for Paraguay

The South American team made an explosive start at the San Francisco Bay Area venue, scoring just 65 seconds into the match. A poor pass from the Turkish side allowed Matias Galarza to seize the opportunity, and he struck a powerful shot from distance that sailed past goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir, giving Paraguay an early lead.

Intense First Half with Missed Chances and a Red Card

After the early setback, Turkiye began to find their rhythm and created several chances. In the 14th minute, Arda Guler's shot went over the bar, and Kenan Yildiz attempted an ambitious bicycle kick that tested goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Turkiye came agonizingly close to equalizing when Mert Muldur's header from a free-kick hit both the crossbar and the post but stayed out.

Paraguay remained a threat on the counter, with Juan Jose Caceres forcing a great save from Çakir. However, the match took a dramatic turn just before halftime when Miguel Almiron received a red card for an altercation, leaving Paraguay to face the second half with ten players.

Ten-Man Paraguay Stays Strong to Eliminate Turkiye

Despite being a player down, Paraguay held firm against Turkiye's attempts to equalize. They nearly extended their lead when Julio Enciso cut in from the right but missed the target.

On the other side, substitute Deniz Gul's header went straight to Gill from a promising position.

As the match progressed, Turkiye ramped up the pressure. Can Uzun narrowly missed with a shot, and late in the game, he squandered a golden opportunity by shooting directly at Gill after a well-executed attack. Defender Merih Demiral also had a chance in stoppage time but headed off target.

The final whistle marked Paraguay's first victory of the tournament, enhancing their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. For Turkiye, this second consecutive loss dashed their World Cup hopes, leaving their final group match against the United States as a mere formality.