Red Card, No Problem! Paraguay Defy The Odds To Eliminate Turkey In FIFA World Cup Thriller
Turkey Vs Paraguay, FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Gallery: Paraguay produced a heroic defensive display to defeat Turkey 1-0 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Matías Galarza stunned the Crescent-Stars with the fastest goal of the tournament, striking after just 64 seconds to hand La Albirroja an early lead. The match took another twist in first-half stoppage time when Miguel Almirón was shown a controversial red card under FIFA's new mouth-covering regulation, leaving Paraguay to play the entire second half with 10 men. Turkey dominated possession and territory after the break but failed to convert their pressure into goals as Paraguay's defense stood firm. The victory kept Paraguay's knockout hopes alive, while Turkey's second straight defeat confirmed their elimination from the World Cup.
Paraguay players warm up during a training session ahead of the World Cup Group D soccer match against Turkey, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in San Jose, Calif (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A fan looks on before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay fans cheer for their team before the start of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay's Isidro Pitta (25) is escorted onto the field before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
A female Turkish supporter cheers for her team before the start of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkish players pose for a team group photo before the start of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paraguay starting eleven pose before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
A general view before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) celebrates with Junior Alonso (6) and Andres Cubas (14) after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Fans look on before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Turkey's Kenan Yildiz (11) shoots during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
A general view of the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill (12) and Isidro Pitta (25) clear the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Turkey's Mert Muldur (18) reacts as he battles for the ball with Paraguay's Isidro Pitta (25) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey's Mert Muldur, front left, heads a ball next to Paraguay's Junior Alonso during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Paraguay and Turkey players react during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill (12) plays the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Turkey's Merih Demiral (3) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey's Merih Demiral (3) reacts after a foul by Paraguay's Miguel Almiron during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey's Mert Muldur (18) challenges for the ball with Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro gestures during the World Cup Group D soccer match against Turkey in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella reacts as referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros of El Salvador issues a yellow card to him during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey fans cheer before the World Cup Group D match between Paraguay and Turkey at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, June 19, 2026 (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Paraguay's Matias Galarza (23) celebrates after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Turkey's Mert Muldur (18) reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey's Mert Muldur (18) reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Turkey's Can Uzun, center, reacts as Paraguay's Alexandro Maidana, right, celebrates with teammate Gabriel Avalos after their win in the World Cup Group D soccer match between Turkey and Paraguay in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Friday, June 19, 2026 (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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