SAN FRANCISCO: Türkiye’s campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an abrupt end on Saturday after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Paraguay in a dramatic Group D clash in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Paraguay stunned Türkiye early in the match when Matías Galarza unleashed a powerful 25-meter strike just 64 seconds after kickoff, marking what is now the fastest goal of the tournament. The early breakthrough forced Türkiye onto the back foot as they chased the game from the opening moments.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Türkiye struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defensive structure. The situation became more difficult for the South American side later in the first half when Miguel Almirón was shown a red card for alleged inappropriate verbal conduct toward defender Mert Müldür, leaving Paraguay to play the entire second half with 10 men.
However, even with a numerical advantage, Türkiye could not convert their pressure into goals. Paraguay’s defensive resilience held firm under constant attack, with their goalkeeper and backline producing a series of crucial clearances and saves to preserve the lead.
The result proved decisive for Group D standings, with Türkiye eliminated from the tournament and the United States advancing to the next round.
Türkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella expressed disappointment after the final whistle but praised his team’s effort, saying they fought until the end despite the setback.
