Türkiye's World Cup hopes end despite dominance in Paraguay loss
Türkiye's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in Group D. Despite controlling possession, creating dozens of chances and playing against 10 men for part of the match, the national team was unable to find a breakthrough, ending its hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Türkiye suffered a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in a decisive Group D fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the United States, a result that eliminated the Crescent-Stars from contention for the next round. An early goal proved enough for Paraguay, despite Türkiye's overwhelming control for much of the contest.
Fastest goal puts Paraguay ahead
The South American side struck almost immediately after kickoff. Just over a minute into the match, Matias Galarza found space outside the penalty area and drilled a low effort into the corner, registering the quickest goal of the tournament so far and giving Paraguay an early advantage.
Türkiye responded positively to the setback, taking command of possession and pushing forward in search of an equalizer. The Turkish national team spent long periods in the opposition half, moving the ball efficiently and creating repeated opportunities around the Paraguay penalty area.
Red card shifts momentum
The match took another turn shortly before halftime when Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was shown a red card. The dismissal came after an exchange involving Türkiye defender Mert Müldür, with FIFA's updated disciplinary regulations leading to immediate action from the referee.
Playing with a numerical advantage for the remainder of the game, Türkiye intensified its pressure and continued to dictate the tempo. The team's attacking approach produced a steady stream of chances as Paraguay focused primarily on protecting its lead.
Missed opportunities prove costly
The second half was largely played in Paraguay's half, with Türkiye recording more than 27 shots, approximately 80 percent possession and over 600 completed passes. However, the breakthrough never arrived as Paraguay's defense held firm until the final whistle.
The result lifted Paraguay to third place in Group D, while Türkiye finished at the bottom of the standings. The outcome also confirmed the United States as group leaders and brought Türkiye's 2026 FIFA World Cup journey to an end.
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