Turkey 0-1 Paraguay: Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
Paraguay eliminated Turkey from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ten-man Paraguay led a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Turkey, despite a dismissal before half-time. The quickest goal of the 2026 World Cup proved the difference. Matias Galarza’s only goal in the game proved to be enough to secure their first World Cup 2026 win.
Matías Galarza, a midfielder, scored just 64 seconds in, surpassing Ismael Saibari’s 71-second strike in Morocco’s 1-0 triumph over Scotland. Meanwhile, Turkey suffered an early elimination from the competition following the defeat.
Also read: Brazil 3-0 Haiti: Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
Five key takeaways from the game
5. Turkey scored ZERO goals in the 2026 World Cup
Turkey have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to score a single goal. The squad scored zero goals from 62 total shots in their two initial Group D matches. They lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay.
4. Miguel Almiron shown red card for unique reason
Miguel Almirón became the first World Cup player to be sent off for covering his mouth while speaking during an argument. He received a red card in Paraguay’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D encounter against Turkey.
He was sent off in the third minute of added time in the first half. Almirón covered his mouth and seemed to talk to the Türkiye right-back, Mert Muldur. After a brief VAR evaluation by Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, he was shown the red card.
3. Miguel Almiron seventh player to receive a red card in competition
Miguel Almiron became the seventh player in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be shown a red card after César Montes (Mexico), Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa), Themba Zwane (South Africa), Tarik Muharemović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Homam Ahmed (Qatar) and Assim Madibo (Qatar).
The competition’s early matchups have been extremely tumultuous. The total could soon exceed the combined red card counts (8) of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups (both of which had only four dismissals each).
Also read: Why was Miguel Almiron sent off against Turkey in FIFA World Cup 2026?
2. Matías Galarza scores fastest goal
Matias Galarza of Paraguay scored the quickest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring in the 64th second against Turkey in San Francisco.
Galarza scored 64 seconds after kick-off with a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Earlier on Friday, Morocco’s Ismael Saibari grabbed a 70-second goal against Scotland.
Galarza was named in Paraguay’s starting lineup for the second fixture of the group stage after missing the first match.
Also read: Who is Matias Galarza? Fastest goalscorer of FIFA World Cup 2026
1. Turkey eliminated from World Cup
Turkey bid adieu to the FIFA World Cup 2026 after failing to win their second group stage match. They suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss. They entered the competition as one of the dark horses but barely lived up to that tag.
They opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Australia. However, the second group stage game against Paraguay was a chance to make amends. But they fell to a frustrating defeat and will head back home.
Also read: FIFA World Cup 2026: List of all nations eliminated
What was the highlight of the game?
Miguel Almiron getting a red card for covering his mouth.
Where do Paraguay stand in the table?
They are third in Group D.
Who scored the goal for them?
Matías Galarza.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.