Paraguay produced a backs-to-the-wall 1-0 win over Turkiye at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) in Santa Clara on Friday, June 19, 2026. Matias Galarza struck inside two minutes, and Paraguay then defended for their lives — the entire second half with 10 men — to claim a huge three points in World Cup 2026 Group D and leave Turkiye staring at an early exit.
What was the final score of Turkiye vs Paraguay?
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay. Matias Galarza scored the only goal in the 2nd minute. Paraguay was reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Miguel Almiron was sent off, yet held on through a one-sided second half to take all three points.
Match highlights video
How the game unfolded
Paraguay could hardly have started better. With barely two minutes on the clock, Matias Galarza let fly from distance and beat the Turkish goalkeeper to hand the South Americans a stunning early lead. It was the perfect start for a side set up to frustrate and counter.
Stung, Turkiye took over the ball and pushed Paraguay deeper and deeper. The complexion of the game changed dramatically in first-half stoppage time, when Miguel Almiron was shown a straight red card following a VAR check, leaving Paraguay to play the entire second half a man down.
That set up a one-way second half. Turkiye threw everything forward, piling up shots and corners as they chased an equaliser, but Paraguay’s defence stayed compact, disciplined and brave. Bodies were thrown in front of efforts, the goalkeeper made the saves he needed to, and the final ball repeatedly let Turkiye down. Despite sustained pressure, the Crescent-Stars could not find a way through, and Paraguay saw out a famous rearguard victory.
Turkiye vs Paraguay: match stats
| Statistic | Turkiye | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Total shots | 32 | 7 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 2 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.10 | 0.32 |
| Red cards | 0 | 1 |
Source: ESPN match centre.
The numbers lay bare how much Paraguay had to withstand. Turkiye dominated possession — around two-thirds of the ball — and registered a remarkable 32 shots to Paraguay’s 7, building up 2.10 expected goals against just 0.32. That they failed to score from that volume is a tribute to Paraguay’s resilience and to wasteful finishing from the Turkish attack.
What the result means
This was a season-defining result for Paraguay, which picked up a precious win in a tight Group D despite the second-half handicap. For Turkiye, the defeat is a major blow — having dominated and created so much without reward, they now face the prospect of an early World Cup exit and will need results to go their way to survive. Few sides will enjoy facing a Paraguay outfit this well-organised and stubborn.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored for Paraguay against Turkiye?
Matias Galarza scored the only goal in the 2nd minute with a long-range strike. Paraguay then defended the lead with 10 men after Miguel Almiron’s red card.
Why was Paraguay down to 10 men?
Miguel Almiron was shown a straight red card in first-half stoppage time following a VAR review, forcing Paraguay to play the entire second half a man short.
Where was Turkiye vs Paraguay played?
The match was played at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) in Santa Clara, California, on June 19, 2026, in World Cup 2026 Group D.
