Matías Galarza scored the fastest goal of the tournament and Miguel Almirón was sent off under FIFA’s new dissent rules, but Paraguay held on with 10 men to eliminate Türkiye and secure USMNT top spot.
Paraguay produced a stunning 1-0 victory over Türkiye at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday, eliminating the highly-rated dark horses from the World Cup while simultaneously securing the top knockout spot for the host United States.
The game exploded just 65 seconds after the opening whistle. Following a sloppy turnover in the defensive third, Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza pounced on the loose ball and unleashed a 21-metre bullet that rocketed past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. The strike became the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup finals.
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The landscape of the match completely altered in the final seconds of the first half. In the 45+3 minute, Paraguay star Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card by referee Ivan Barton. Almirón made history as the first player ejected under FIFA’s strict new disciplinary rules regarding covering the mouth while speaking to officials.
Despite operating with an 11-on-10 man advantage for the entire second half, Türkiye completely collapsed in the final third. They controlled a staggering 78 percent of the ball and peppered the Paraguayan defence with 33 total shots but failed to generate clinical sequences. Paraguay deployed an extreme “park the bus” defensive block, and goalkeeper Orlando Gill produced an inspired five-save masterclass to preserve the clean sheet.
Türkiye finished with 33 shots, six on target, while Paraguay managed just six shots, two on target. Türkiye’s passing accuracy stood at 90 percent compared to Paraguay’s 58 percent. Paraguay also blocked 12 shot attempts, highlighting their defensive resilience.
The result means Türkiye exits their first World Cup tournament appearance since 2002 without recording a single goal or point across their opening two games. The upset mathematically secures a Round of 32 ticket and first-place finish for the United States, who have six points.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, Paraguay and Australia, both on three points, will face off in a straight winner-takes-all battle for second place on Matchday 3. For Türkiye, a tournament that began with high expectations ends in disappointment after just two matches.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 20, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
