Paraguay’s Matias Galarza celebrates scoring their first aim in the course of the Fifa World Cup 2026, Group D match in opposition to Turkiye, San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US, June 19, 2026. — Reuters
Paraguay’s Matias Galarza scored the quickest aim in any World Cup match this 12 months barely greater than a minute in, main Paraguay to a 1-0 win over Turkiye on Friday evening in Santa Clara, Calif.
The South American staff overcame the lack of veteran Miguel Almiron to a pink card simply earlier than halftime.
Paraguay (1-1-0, 3 factors) saved alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout levels, after the US defeated Australia 2-0 earlier Friday in Group D. The US (2-0-0, 6 factors) clinched first place within the group due to the Paraguay-Turkiye consequence.
Australia (1-1-0, 3 factors) will face Paraguay on Thursday in Santa Clara, with the Aussies needing solely a draw to clinch second place. Turkiye (0-2-0, 0 factors) had been eradicated forward of their group finale in opposition to the US on Thursday in Inglewood, Calif.
Galarza delivered his decisive strike from 25 yards out as three defenders converged on him.
Turkiye had pictures hit the crossbar and the goalpost, rattling the woodwork however not getting into.
Turkiye pressed for a tying aim early within the second half however got here up quick, although they performed with a person benefit for the final 45-plus minutes.
Almiron was proven a pink card for overlaying his mouth when speaking to an opposing participant, a gesture banned underneath a brand new Fifa rule.
Can Uzun shot simply extensive within the 82nd minute, one among a number of makes an attempt for Turkiye as they desperately tried to salvage some extent to remain alive for attainable development.
An Eighty fifth-minute cross filtered by the field in entrance of the aim, one other late missed Turkiye likelihood. Three extra makes an attempt within the closing minutes did not hit the goal, and Turkiye gamers crumpled to the bottom on the closing whistle in disbelief over their elimination from development within the World Cup.
Turkiye had 5 pictures on track and 32 pictures total, whereas Paraguay had simply two and 7, respectively. Turkiye additionally had 12 nook kicks to zero for Paraguay, however Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made 5 saves for the clean-sheet win.
