Paraguay save World Cup skins with win over eliminated Turkey
Football
By
AFP
| Jun 20, 2026
Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup on Friday, a result that kept their hopes alive and also guaranteed that co-hosts the USA win Group D.
Turkey's defeat means they become the second team after Haiti to be eliminated from contention.
Matias Galarza scored the only goal in a game that featured the first sending off in World Cup history for a player covering their mouth during an on-field confrontation, for Miguel Almiron.
Galarza's low, long-range shot evaded Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir after just 63 seconds.
Former Newcastle forward Almiron was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkey's Mert Muldur.
READ MORE
KRA defends move to raise customs benchmark for consolidated cargo
KECOBO dissolves KAMP board, orders CEO suspension
Fisheries Bill: Fisherfolk bet on Senate to stem overfishing
Coffee weekly auction fetches Sh896 million
Why Nanyuki town is overstretched by influx of investors, visitors
How car tyre shingles could help transform roofing style
Political anxiety casts shadow on Kenya's investment outlook
How Kenya's informal workers hold the key to unlocking the housing market
Greek firm eyes Sh194 billion smart-power system for AI-data centres
CS Kagwe: Why Kenya exports rice despite annual deficit of 1m tonnes
In a scrappy match, Deniz Gul had a golden chance to equalize in the 88th minute when Paraguay 'keeper Orlando Gill could only parry a shot, but he stabbed his shot wide of the goal.
Merih Demiral glanced a header wide in the dying seconds and was almost in tears afterwards as the Turkey players slumped to the turf in bitter disappointment.