Galarza’s 64-Second Rocket and Almirón’s Bizarre Red Card Send Türkiye Crashing Out of World Cup 2026

Türkiye arrived in San Francisco as one of the tournament’s pre-tournament dark horses. They leave it after just two matches, without a single goal, and with one of the strangest dismissals in World Cup history attached to their conqueror’s name. Matías Galarza fired Paraguay ahead inside 64 seconds — the fastest goal of the entire 2026 World Cup — and 10-man La Albirroja somehow held on through 88 minutes of relentless Turkish pressure to win 1-0 at Levi’s Stadium on June 19, 2026. Türkiye is out. Paraguay’s dream stays alive.

Türkiye vs Paraguay 0-1 Highlights — World Cup 2026 Group D

In an emotionally-charged encounter in San Francisco, Türkiye were sent packing from the World Cup, having fallen to back-to-back defeats, losing 1-0 to steely Paraguay after also suffering at the hands of Australia. As a result, Türkiye, one of the pre-tournament dark horses, joined Haiti through the exit door at the earliest possible juncture — their tournament over after just two matches.

Match Summary:

Matías Galarza Fastest Goal World Cup 2026 — A 64-Second Stunner

The goal that decided this match arrived before either side had even settled into a rhythm.

2′ — Matías Galarza fires Paraguay ahead. Fired up after their humiliating 4-1 opening match defeat by the United States, Paraguay went ahead when Galarza wound up from 25 metres out and fired a low rocket home after just 64 seconds — eclipsing Ismael Saibari’s 71-second strike in Morocco’s win over Scotland just hours earlier to become the fastest goal of the entire 2026 World Cup. The ball flew inside the post, leaving Türkiye goalkeeper Altay Bayındır with no chance whatsoever. Levi’s Stadium, packed with drumming Paraguayan support, exploded.

“It’s unforgettable,” Galarza said afterwards. “This is the most beautiful stage in the world, playing amongst the best. I hope that Paraguay is happy.”

Türkiye responded with intent — Arda Güler ballooned a presentable pullback over the bar in the 14th minute, and Mert Müldür rattled the crossbar and post with a header from a delightful Hakan Çalhanoğlu free-kick in the 33rd minute. The Crescent-Stars were dominant, dangerous, and creating wave after wave of attacks. They simply could not find the breakthrough.

📺 Watch the full match highlights: Türkiye vs Paraguay 0-1 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Highlights

Miguel Almirón Red Card vs Türkiye — Football’s New Zero-Tolerance Rule Strikes

If Galarza’s goal was the moment that decided the match, what happened seven minutes later may end up being remembered even longer.

45+3′ — Miguel Almirón is sent off. In a confrontation with Mert Müldür, the Atlanta United forward was dismissed for covering his mouth with his hand during the exchange — spotted and confirmed by VAR. It was the first-ever instance of FIFA’s new “zero-tolerance” dissent rule being applied at a World Cup. Under the new IFAB regulation, players who cover their mouths with their hand, arm, or shirt during confrontational situations automatically receive a red card. The rule was introduced after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making inappropriate remarks while shielding his mouth from officials earlier in the year.

Almirón’s dismissal left Paraguay to play the entire second half with 10 men — a near-impossible defensive task against a Turkish side that had already shown its attacking quality.

Türkiye Eliminated World Cup — 62 Shots, Zero Goals, Tournament Over

What followed was one of the most remarkable defensive rearguard actions of the entire tournament — and one of the most extraordinary attacking failures in World Cup history.

Türkiye commanded nearly 80% possession in the second half and launched an astonishing 33 attempts on goal across the full 90 minutes, becoming the first team since at least 1966 to record more than 77% possession in a World Cup match and still fail to score. Abdülkerim Bardakçı teased a dangerous cross into the box in the 56th minute that went begging. Kenan Yıldız dinked a delightful ball into the six-yard area for Deniz Gül to head in the 62nd minute, but the effort lacked any real pace. Can Uzun steered a strike from a neat cutback in the 89th minute, only to see it saved. Türkiye’s final chance fell to Çalhanoğlu from a free-kick in stoppage time — his effort drifted agonisingly wide of the target.

The final whistle confirmed the nightmare: Türkiye have now registered 62 shots across their two World Cup matches without scoring a single goal — the most efforts without scoring in any two-match span in World Cup history. Manager Vincenzo Montella, booked himself on the night for his touchline protests, could only watch as his side squandered chance after chance against ten men.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Standings — USA Win the Group, Paraguay Stay Alive

The result also sealed top spot in Group D for the United States, courtesy of their earlier 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle. For Paraguay — known as “La Albirroja” (the white and red), and appearing at the World Cup for the first time since their best-ever run to the 2010 quarterfinal — survival is the story. They head into a decisive showdown against Australia next week, knowing a result keeps their own knockout dream alive.

For Türkiye, there is nothing left but reflection on what might have been. A talented squad including Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, an absurd shot count, and not a single goal to show for it. The dark horses of 2026 are heading home before the real action even begins.

For full FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D results, live coverage and match highlights, visit fawanewss.co.uk. Full fixtures, group standings and squads at the official FIFA website.