“Galarza scores the fastest goal of the World Cup and Paraguay eliminates Turkey.”

A lightning goal, an unusual red card, and a defensive fortress that shattered Turkey’s World Cup aspirations: this is how Paraguay sealed Turkey’s elimination in a match marked by emotion, controversy, and a lesson in survival while playing with one less player for the entire second half. The fastest goal of this World Cup, scored by Galarza, went down in history and propelled the South American team to a hard-fought but absolutely decisive victory.

The clash between Paraguay and Turkey, held this Friday, was a true do-or-die situation for both teams after their opening day defeats. It took just 64 seconds for Matias Galarza to open the scoring and etch his name in the tournament’s annals, surpassing the previous record held by Saibari (Morocco) by a symbolic 5 seconds. The goal came as a result of intense pressure, forcing the Turkish defense to lose the ball in a dangerous area, and Galarza, with a precise and powerful shot, made no mistake against the rival goalkeeper’s passivity.

From that moment on, Paraguay defined its strategy: a low block, compact lines, and a clear commitment to counterattacks. Turkey, pushed forward by the need to turn the result around, always found an insurmountable wall in front of them. The best chance came only in the 35th minute – a free kick taken by Çalhanoglu found Muldur’s head, but the ball stubbornly kissed the crossbar and, on the rebound, hit the post, leaving the Turkish team in despair.

The real twist came before the break. Miguel Almirón, one of Paraguay’s key players, was sent off with a direct red card in farcical circumstances: after a foul on Patty, Almirón covered his mouth while directing words at Akgun, a behavior now punished under FIFA’s new disciplinary rules. The referee’s decision left the South American team reduced to ten players for the entire second half, increasing the pressure on Galarza’s side.

Upon the restart, Turkey intensified their offensive, but they lacked the ingenuity and clarity to dismantle the Paraguayan defensive web. Deniz Gul, a forward for FC Porto, came on determined to make a difference and had the equalizer at his feet (and head) in the 62nd minute, but Gill, Paraguay’s goalkeeper, responded with a solid save. The Turkish territorial dominance was evident, but clear-cut chances were scarce, forcing the team to try their luck with long-range shots, which were almost always harmless.

Turkish desperation peaked in the final minutes. In the 89th minute, a double opportunity almost resulted in an equalizer, but Gill once again proved himself with a crucial save, before seeing Gul shoot wide – albeit from an offside position. In stoppage time, Demiral had the last hope at his feet, but the score remained unchanged, sealing Turkey’s elimination and sparking celebrations for the South Americans.

At the end of the match, the Turkish coach did not hide his frustration over the lack of effectiveness: “We did everything to score, but Paraguay defended impeccably. We failed at decisive moments and left with a very bitter taste,” he lamented, visibly dejected. Matias Galarza, the hero of the match, highlighted his team’s courage: “We played almost an entire half with one less player, but we never stopped believing. This group is a warrior and is ready for anything,” he stated at the end of the game.

This result reignites the standings in Group F, with Paraguay and Australia tied on three points each, and the qualification for the knockout stage to be decided in their final match against each other. For Turkey, the only thing left is to fulfill the schedule against the United States, in a duel where only pride is at stake, following a campaign marked by offensive misfires and an early elimination that is likely to prompt profound changes in the squad and the team’s approach.

Paraguay’s victory, achieved under the most adverse conditions, demonstrates the competitive spirit of the South Americans and places them among the leading candidates to surprise in this edition of the World Cup. Anticipation is growing for the clash against Australia, where not only progression to the next stage is at stake, but also the definitive affirmation of a team that has already proven capable of resisting adversity and writing its own story.

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