Matias Galarza’s quick goal and solid defense led 10-man Paraguay to a thrilling 1-0 win against Turkey, boosting their World Cup 2026 chances and eliminating the Turkish team. Galarza’s goal, just 64 seconds into the game, set a new tournament record for the fastest goal, surpassing the previous mark set earlier that day.
Despite a red card to Miguel Almiron just before halftime, Paraguay’s resilient defense held off Turkey’s attacks in the second half. The new FIFA disciplinary rule penalizing players for covering their mouths during confrontations was enforced for the first time in World Cup history during this match.
Even with a numerical disadvantage, Paraguay’s strong defensive performance secured them a crucial victory, marking a significant turnaround from their initial defeat. Turkey’s hopes of progressing from Group D were dashed by this loss, while Paraguay remains in contention as the group stage progresses.
