Türkiye 0–1 Paraguay: Ten-Man Paraguay Hold On Through Galarza's Early Strike

Paraguay produced one of the defensive performances of the World Cup so far, holding on with ten men for almost an entire half to beat Türkiye 1–0 at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area and breathe life back into their Group D campaign.

They could hardly have started better. Inside two minutes, Galarza pounced on a defence-splitting pass from Enciso and finished coolly to give Paraguay the lead — and the platform for everything that followed.

Reduced to Ten, Unbroken

The complexion of the match changed dramatically in first-half stoppage time. Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card in the 45th minute, leaving Paraguay to face the entire second half a man light and clinging to a one-goal lead.

What followed was a masterclass in organised, backs-to-the-wall defending. Paraguay dropped deep, protected their goalkeeper, and refused Türkiye the clear sight of goal their territorial dominance demanded.

Türkiye's Frustration Boils Over

Türkiye pressed and probed but lacked the precision to break Paraguay down, and the frustration showed — head coach Vincenzo Montella was booked on the touchline in the 63rd minute, Elmali cautioned soon after. Despite a man advantage and more than half an hour to find an equaliser, the breakthrough never came.

Group D Picture

The win lifts Paraguay to three points and throws Group D wide open. Türkiye, beaten in both of their opening matches, are now staring at an early exit. For Paraguay, a result defined by character and discipline rather than flair, it is a campaign revived in the most dramatic fashion.

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