×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Informed Minds Prefer The Standard
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Paraguay save World Cup skins with win over eliminated Turkey

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

: Junior Alonso and Omar Alderete of Paraguay celebrate after the 1-0 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match vs Türkiye at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 19, 2026 [Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP]

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.

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.

By AFP 13 hrs ago
Football
Infantino's most senior advisor resigns, distances self from controversial FIFA plan
Football
10-man Gor Mahia survive to storm CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals
Rugby
Impala Rugby buoyant ahead of Dala 7s in Kisumu
Rugby
KCB eye back-to-back Dala 7s victory in Kisumu