Paraguay beat Turkey with 10 men at 2026 World Cup

Paraguay (FIFA ranking No. 37) beat Turkey (No. 32) despite finishing with 10 men after a player was sent off for covering his mouth while making a remark toward an opponent.

Paraguay defeated Turkey 1-0 on Saturday in their Group D second-round match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Paraguay had been routed 1-4 by the United States in their opening match on June 13. They moved to one win and one loss with three points, climbing to third in the group behind the United States (two wins) and Australia (one win, one loss), keeping their round-of-32 hopes alive.

It was Paraguay's first World Cup win since they beat Slovakia at the 2010 South Africa tournament — a 16-year drought. Turkey, meanwhile, were eliminated from the group stage regardless of their remaining match against the United States, having fallen to both Australia and Paraguay.

Turkey had dominated their previous match against Australia — controlling 62 percent of possession and attempting 30 shots — yet lost 0-2 without scoring. The pattern repeated against Paraguay. Turkey fired 31 shots to Paraguay's seven.

Turkey held 65 percent of possession and controlled much of the play, but Paraguay struck first, and early. Breaking down Turkey's right flank, Matías Galarza received a precise through ball from Julio César Enciso just outside the penalty arc and drove a powerful left-footed shot into the net.

A red card late in the first half changed the complexion of the match. Paraguay forward Isidro Pitta attempted a rough tackle, then appealed to the referee after an opponent stepped on his foot, triggering a scuffle between players from both sides. In the commotion, Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón made a remark toward Turkey's Müldür while covering his mouth. The referee reviewed the incident on video and showed Almirón a red card.

Down to 10 men, Paraguay managed the second half much as they had the first — packing nearly every outfield player behind the ball. They held firm through several near-certain conceding situations.

After the hour mark, Paraguay shifted their focus increasingly to running down the clock. Diego Gómez went down in a challenge and stayed on the ground long enough to be ordered off the pitch for a minute before being allowed to return.