US Secures Group D Top Spot
Paraguay Upsets Türkiye 1-0 in Thrilling Match, Securing USA's Group D First Place
Key Points
Paraguay vs. Türkiye was their first-ever World Cup meeting; the only previous matchup was a scoreless friendly in June 1995, Opta data cited by The Analyst reported.
Matías Galarza’s opening goal came after just 64 seconds—setting a new 2026 World Cup record for fastest goal. The article notes it beat the previous tournament record set the same day by Morocco’s Ismael Saibari (71 seconds vs. Scotland).
The direct red shown to Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was issued under a newly introduced FIFA regulation for covering his mouth during a confrontation, with the stated aim of eliminating “discriminatory and unsportsmanlike behavior.”
Before Friday’s Group D swing match, the U.S. had already secured a knockout berth thanks to a 2-0 win over Australia earlier Friday; with No. 1 effectively locked, the U.S.’s final group game vs. Türkiye would function as an “exhibition match.”
Despite falling behind early, Türkiye’s pressure began to show in detailed first-half stats: Paraguay coach adjustments held, while Türkiye controlled “78 percent of first-half possession” and came close to leveling when Müldür’s header struck the crossbar just before halftime.
Paraguay stunned Türkiye 1-0 on Friday in Santa Clara, eliminating the Turks from World Cup 2026 and locking the United States into first place in Group D. Matías Galarza scored just 64 seconds in — the fastest goal of the tournament — and a shorthanded Paraguayan side held on through a Turkish siege to secure the upset geo.tv Rio Times Online.
The result confirmed the U.S., which had already beaten Australia 2-0 earlier Friday, as Group D winners. Türkiye finishes last with zero points and is out. Paraguay and Australia, both on three points, now fight for the two remaining knockout spots in the group's final matches Taylorville Daily News.
Galarza's 64-Second Strike Breaks Tournament Record
Galarza's goal came before most fans had settled into their seats. The Paraguayan midfielder found the net at the 64-second mark, beating the previous 2026 World Cup record set just hours earlier by Morocco's Ismael Saibari, who scored against Scotland at 71 seconds geo.tv.
Türkiye responded by dominating possession. By halftime, the Turks held 78% of the ball — the highest share of any losing team in the tournament so far. Mert Müldür came closest to leveling, his header rattling the crossbar in first-half stoppage time. But Paraguay's low defensive block funneled Turkish attacks into non-dangerous areas, keeping their xG — a measure of shot quality — to just 1.12 Rio Times Online.
Almiron Red Card Sparks Debate Over New FIFA Mouth-Covering Rule
The match's biggest flashpoint came before halftime. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron received a direct red card after covering his mouth during a heated confrontation near the touchline. The dismissal came under a new FIFA directive that bans players from obscuring their mouths during altercations with opponents or officials Taylorville Daily News english.dotdotnews.com.
FIFA says the rule targets discriminatory and abusive language that players hide by covering their lips to avoid being lip-read on camera. Critics pushed back hard. Former referee analyst Howard Webb said applying a direct red card in a World Cup game "feels like a sledgehammer to crack a nut." Paraguay's football federation is expected to appeal, hoping to restore Almiron for the knockout rounds.
Ten-Man Paraguay Hold a Siege for Over 50 Minutes
With Almiron off and a full half still to play, Türkiye poured forward. Manager Vincenzo Montella threw on attacking players and controlled the ball almost entirely. But Paraguay's defense, organized by coach Gustavo Alfaro into a deep block, refused to crack. Türkiye failed to put a single goal past them despite the man advantage Rio Times Online.
Montella offered a blunt assessment after the final whistle. "To dominate 78% of the ball and fail to score is a failure of clinical execution, not a failure of system," he said. Alfaro, by contrast, was defiant. "We fought with our souls when the cards went against us," he said. "This win belongs to the people of Asunción."
USA Clinches Group D, Turkey Eliminated, Final Standings Set
FIFA confirmed the final Group D standings after the full-time whistle. The U.S. sits first with six points. Paraguay is second with three points. Australia is third with three points but a worse goal difference of -1. Türkiye ends last with zero points and is officially out of the tournament Taylorville Daily News geo.tv.
The U.S.'s final group game against Türkiye on July 1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is now effectively a dead rubber. With first place already locked, the American coaching staff can rest key players like Christian Pulisic ahead of the Round of 32. Paraguay and Australia, meanwhile, will fight knowing that only one of them may advance — and the margin between them is razor thin.
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