It took Paraguay all of 65 seconds to do what Turkey could not undo across the rest of the match. Matías Galarza struck early, Miguel Almirón was sent off before halftime, and 10-man Paraguay held on for a 1-0 win at Levi’s Stadium on Friday night — a result that eliminated Turkey from World Cup 2026 and, almost as an afterthought 3,000 miles away in Seattle, sealed the United States’ first outright group title since 2010.
The Fastest Goal of the Tournament
Julio Enciso’s flick-on found Galarza just inside the box, and the Paraguay midfielder drove a left-footed shot into the bottom corner before most of the crowd at Levi’s Stadium had settled into their seats. At 65 seconds, it stood as the fastest goal of World Cup 2026 to that point — and it was the only goal Paraguay would need.
A Red Card for Covering His Mouth
Paraguay’s night got considerably harder in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, when Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card for covering his mouth while exchanging words with Turkey’s Mert Müldür — the first ejection at World Cup 2026 under FIFA’s new rule penalizing players who conceal their mouths while arguing with opponents or officials. Reduced to 10 men for the remaining hour-plus, Paraguay absorbed pressure in waves: Turkey finished with 32 shots to Paraguay’s 7, and five shots on target to Paraguay’s two. None of it mattered. Turkey’s World Cup ended with the final whistle, eliminated with zero points after two matches.
USA Claims Group D Outright for the First Time Since 2010
Paraguay’s result, combined with the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia earlier the same day in Seattle, handed the USMNT first place in Group D outright — the first time the United States has won a World Cup group since 2010, and the first time it has opened a World Cup with two wins since 1930. The USA’s win over Australia looks even better in hindsight now, setting up a Round of 32 matchup on July 1 in San Francisco. Paraguay, still alive on three points, will face Australia in the group finale to decide second place, with the Australians holding the tiebreaker edge on goal differential. Fans attending the finale at Levi’s Stadium should expect another heavy turnout given the stakes for both sides.
What was the score between Paraguay and Turkey?
Paraguay won 1-0 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on June 19, 2026.
Who scored the goal, and how fast?
Matías Galarza scored 65 seconds into the match, finishing left-footed off a flick-on from Julio Enciso — the fastest goal of World Cup 2026 at the time.
Why was Paraguay reduced to 10 men?
Miguel Almirón was sent off in first-half stoppage time for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent, the first red card issued at World Cup 2026 under FIFA’s new rule on the gesture.
How did this result affect Group D?
Paraguay’s win eliminated Turkey and, combined with the USA’s 2-0 win over Australia, gave the United States its first outright World Cup group title since 2010. Paraguay and Australia meet in the finale to decide second place.
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