Paraguay's Early Strike Downs Turkey 1-0, Group D Race Wide Open
M. Galarza's second-minute strike gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Turkey, keeping their knockout hopes alive while leaving Turkey winless and on the brink.
In a Group D match at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area on June 25, 2026, Paraguay secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Turkey, keeping their World Cup knockout hopes alive.
The game started with a lightning strike just two minutes in. J. Enciso provided the assist, and M. Galarza calmly slotted home to give Paraguay the lead.
Turkey struggled to break down Paraguay's defense in the first half, and the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Turkey pushed forward but were denied by Paraguay's goalkeeper, who made five saves to preserve the clean sheet. Paraguay held on for a vital win.
Statistically, Paraguay had only 7 total shots (2 on target) and 21% possession, but were clinical. Turkey dominated possession with 79% but failed to score. Paraguay completed 178 passes with 54% accuracy.
The top-rated player was Paraguay defender Juan Cáceres, who earned an 8.3 rating. The 25-year-old, who plays for Dynamo, recorded 1 shot, 1 key pass, and 10 passes, anchoring the defense.
After this match, the Group D standings are: USA 6 points, Australia and Paraguay 3 points, Turkey 0 points. Paraguay sits third on goal difference.
Turkey, with two losses, are on the brink of elimination. They must beat USA in their final match and hope for other results. Paraguay face Australia in a direct showdown for a knockout spot.
This victory keeps Paraguay's hopes alive, while Turkey face a must-win scenario. Group D's drama will go down to the final matchday.
For more details, visit the match page, team pages: Turkey, Paraguay, and the group standings.