Turkey eliminated from World Cup 2026 with 1-0 loss to Paraguay

Turkiye Eliminated from 2026 World Cup After Defeat to Paraguay

Turkiye has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after suffering a second consecutive defeat in group games. The team was defeated by Paraguay with a score of 1-0, following a red card for midfielder Miguel Almiron.

Paraguay’s goal was scored by Matias Galarza in the 64th minute, which proved to be the decisive factor in the match. The South American team had been spurred on by their fans, who were heard beating drums in the San Francisco Bay Area before the game.

Turkiye dominated possession, with 79 percent of the ball at one point, but was unable to score despite numerous attempts. Paraguay’s defense held strong, and the team played out the second half with 10 men after Almiron’s dismissal.

Paraguay’s coach, Vincenzo Montella, expressed pride in his players’ performance, stating that they gave everything right up until the final whistle. Turkiye’s coach, Vincenzo Montella, also acknowledged that his team fought to stay in the tournament and accepted the outcome.

The win by Paraguay means that the United States has been confirmed as Group D winners after their earlier 2-0 victory over Australia. The match marked the first instance of a new rule being applied at the World Cup, which penalizes players who cover their mouths with their hand or arm in confrontational situations.

Turkiye’s forward Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler had several chances to score but were unable to capitalize on them. The team will now proceed to the next stage of the tournament, where they will face another opponent.

Source: Al Jazeera