Paraguay knocks out Turkey from the 2026 World Cup.
Turkey becomes the second nation, joining Haiti, to be knocked out of the tournament, being outscored three goals to none over their first two group stage matches.
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Paraguay took the lead almost immediately with a goal in just 63 seconds into the match.
A quick Julio Enciso pass to Matías Galarza would set up Galarza to fire a shot from range.
From 28 yards out, Galarza would slot a perfect shot into the bottom right corner, right past Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir.
The match would see both sides go back-and-forth looking for anything offensively.
In the 35th minute a Turkey free kick seemed like they would finally find their equalizer.
But almost inexplicably, the Mert Müldür strike would “double doink” off the cross bar and post and keep itself out.
In the 45+3 minute, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón would be sent off with a red after covering his mouth when addressing another player.
This is a new rule added before this year’s World Cup to dissuade players from using possibly offensive speech while avoiding disciplinary action.
The half would end seeing Paraguay take a 1-0 advantage into the half.
Turkey would do their best to capitalize of the man advantage in the back 45 minutes.
Outshooting Paraguay six to one through the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Turkey would continue to push firing another 14 shots through the remainder of the second half.
But no matter how much they tried, it just was not meant to be.
As the full-time whistle would ring out, it would be jubilation for Paraguayans and heartbreak for the Turks.
Turkey and Paraguay will both play their final group stage match at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official
