Paraguay eliminate Türkiye with fastest goal of World Cup 2026

Paraguay kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Türkiye in San Francisco, courtesy of the tournament's fastest goal so far. Matias Galarza struck after just 64 seconds, sending Türkiye crashing out of the competition.

Fastest goal of the tournament

Both teams entered the match needing a response after opening defeats. Paraguay delivered within the first two minutes. Andres Cubas won possession and fed Julio Enciso, who slipped the ball to Galarza. The midfielder unleashed a left-footed shot that went through the legs of defender Merih Demiral and past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

The goal, timed at 64 seconds, is the fastest of the 2026 World Cup and gave Paraguay a vital early lead.

Türkiye push for equalizer

Türkiye responded strongly. Mert Muldur struck the crossbar with a header, and later hit the post as his side pressed for a leveller. Hakan Calhanoglu sent a volley wide, Deniz Gul missed a close-range header, and Kenan Yildiz was off target despite his usual reliability.

The first half ended with tensions boiling over in added time. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off at the tournament under new laws prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontational situations. The red card left Paraguay a man down for the entire second half.

Second-half siege

With Paraguay reduced to ten men, the second half became a sustained Turkish attack against a resolute Paraguayan defence. Wave after wave of Turkish forays came and went, but the equalizer never arrived. Paraguay held firm to secure the win.

Group implications

The victory re-ignites Paraguay's campaign ahead of a group-closing showdown with Australia on 25 June. For Türkiye, the defeat means elimination from the tournament after two consecutive losses.