2026 World Cup: Turkiye crash out as Paraguay hang on despite historic Almiron red card
A second defeat in succession meant Turkiye became only the second side of the tournament to be mathematically dispatched from World Cup 2026. Paraguay won it with the only goal of the game after just 65 seconds had elapsed.
Despite another 32 shots and - after Miguel Amiron was sent off just before half-time - a man advantage for 45 minutes, Turkiye failed to find a breakthrough, and will exit the tournament after their final match against the USA.
The first half was bookended in spectacular class, as Paraguay started it with a goal and ended with a man sent off.
Beginning at a blistering tempo, Paraguay pressed Turkiye from the whistle. Less than a minute in, Julio Enciso dispossessed Turkiye in the final third, before laying it off to Matias Galarza, whose accurate low strike evaded the outstretched glove of Ugurcan Cakir in the bottom right corner.
From then on, the South Americans could afford to sit back and force their opponents to take low percentage shots. Despite having 12 of them - and 78% possession - Turkiye could only find the target once in the opening 45 minutes.
The closest they came was on 35 minutes, when a Hakan Calhanoglu free kick found Mert Muldur, whose header hit first bar then post.
The match swung a little more at the end of the half when, in a moment of madness, Paraguay’s Almiron was sent off for covering his mouth, the first occurrence of the new FIFA directive.
The second half saw more of the same, with Turkiye again dominating the ball but failing to make many clear-cut chances. They were better, creating three big chances for an XG of 1.58, but the Paraguay defensive line held up well.
Vincenzo Montella’s men grew increasingly desperate, shooting from further and further out as they failed to find a way through.
Turkiye managed even more possession, while Paraguay mustered a fraction of the passes, but it didn’t matter. They will face Australia in the final match of the group to decide who goes through as runners-up.