Defeat against Paraguay: Türkiye will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup

Second defeat

Turkey is eliminated from the World Cup

In a heated game, Turkey played in the majority for a long time. In the end, the team loses its second World Cup duel and has to say goodbye to its dreams prematurely.

Early shock, no longer a chance of the knockout round: Turkey has to bury its World Cup dreams early after the next disgrace. Coach Vincenzo Montella’s team lost 0-1 (0-1) to Paraguay after a lightning goal from Matías Galarza (2nd minute) despite being outnumbered in a sometimes wild “final” in which emotions ran high several times. The group final against the USA, who are the group winners due to the Turkish defeat, is therefore meaningless in terms of sport.

Meanwhile, referee Iván Barton sent Miguel Almirón off the pitch in stoppage time in the first half because he had put his hand over his mouth in a dispute with opponent Mert Müldür. This was the first time that the Salvadoran referee had used one WM new rule. Paraguay now has three points and can reach the knockout round in the game against Australia on their own.

Coach Montella said his team wanted to fight back on the pitch after what he saw as exaggerated criticism following the 2-0 defeat against Australia in the opening game. But Turkey was shocked early on. Paraguay won the ball in the Turkish build-up, played Galarza free and the 24-year-old hit the corner from a good 20 meters.

The Paraguayan fans, who had brought drums into the stadium and used them to set the rhythm, were thrilled. Turkey struggled to get into the game. Arda Güler’s first shot from a promising position flew well over the goal. After half an hour, the Turks had almost 80 percent possession of the ball, but they couldn’t do much with it. And they weren’t lucky either. After a free kick, Mert Müldür prevailed in the header duel. The ball hit the crossbar, then the post, but not into the goal.

How much was at stake was palpable throughout the stadium. Things kept getting hectic. Referee Iván Barton often struggled to calm the heated tempers and then became the center of attention. According to the video images, he showed Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón red. The newly introduced rule is intended to prevent discriminatory behavior.

With one more man, the pressure from the Turks increased. The Montella team also had degrees. However, either the precision was lacking or Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill prevented the goal. Paraguay defended passionately and managed a narrow victory over time.