Paraguay defeats Turkey in result that is big news for USMNT: Highlights – USA Today

Santa Clara, CA ― After disappointing losses to open the World Cup, Turkey and Paraguay squared off in Northern California in a matchup that determined the United States men’s national team’s final place in Group D.
It was a physical game throughout that felt like do-or-die as both teams’ World Cup fate rested on the outcome of the match.
However, it was Paraguay that would emerge as victorious after defeating Turkey 1-0 at Levi’s Stadium behind a record-setting goal from Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza, who scored the match’s only goal in the games’ first 65 seconds on June 19.
With the Paraguay win, USMNT clinched the top spot in Group D. Turkey plays the United States on June 24.
Turkey lost 2-0 against Australia in its first match, while the USMNT crushed Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium and three points for either side would be enough of a boost to make the winner confident it will advance to the knockout stage, with the eight best third-place teams also moving on in this expanded, 48-team World Cup.
Turkey and Paraguay have never faced each other. Well, except once. The two met in a 1995 match in Chile that ended in a 0-0 draw.
In their win, Paraguay avoided consecutive losses to start a World Cup for first time since 2006 when they loss to England and Sweden.
In what appeared to be Turkey’s final shot attempt, Merih Demiral tried for a header that was narrowly missed to the right. The World Cup seemingly ends for Turkey after their 1-0 loss to Paraguay.
Paraguay sealed the deal most likely with a save at the 88′ mark from Orlando Gill. It was probably the biggest save of the game. In the closing seconds before extra minutes. Can Uzun had a great look at the goal. He tried to chip it in with a right-footed shot, it was on target heading for the left corner. Gill slid in and stopped the ball right in its tracks to preserve the goal.
Paraguay had a free kick that went aerial, but Ugurcan Çakir had a save that kept Turkey’s hopes alive. Cakir was fired up after the save, too.
Through the 82′ mark, Turkey had possession of the 67% of the match. They’ve had more shot attempts at the goal compared to Paraguay. Turkey has had 25 shot attempts, while Paraguay took five attempts at the goal.
Fans of various World Cup teams came to Levi’s Stadium or San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, per FIFA sponsorship rules. There were fans representing their nations, showing pride with USA, Mexico and Argentina aparrel on as they filled the stands. The majority of seats were occupied by Turkey and Paraguay fans. The official tally was 68,827 people in attendance, the venue said it was a sellout event.
In what has been a physical game, Turkey’s Eren Elmali was shown a yellow card for a bad foul committed at the 71′ mark of the match.
Whenever Turkey has a good look at the goal, the end their possession scoreless. That is a huge testament to the output that goal keeper Orlando Gill is displaying on the field for Paraguay. He’s piling up save after save and keeping the Turks from tying the game.
Paraguay nearly sealed the deal with a goal but Julio Ensico was not able to cash in, missing wide left.
Turkey has had possession of the ball for 78% of the match through the 58′ mark, however they have not been able to put the ball in the net. Paraguay has 15 shot attempts.
The second half is underway. Turkey looks to put points on the board as Paraguay looks to fend them off.
Turkey has been able to generate good looks in the first half but they haven’t had any luck getting the ball to the net. Credit the Paraguay defense and goal keeper Orlando Gill for his efforts on that end. Also, Turkey has had some misfortune, especially one shot attempt ricocheting off of the woodwork of the goal. Paraguay leads 1-0 after the first half of play.
There was a delay in the match due to another Paraguay player laying on the grass in injury. Gustavo Gomez was injured at the 55′ mark of the game.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was assessed a ‘mouth-covering’ red card against Turkey on June 19. Almiron said something to Turkey’s Mert Muilder and covered his mouth, which is a new infraction that was introduced at the World Cup.
Paraguay Andres Cubas was fouled by Turkey’s Hakan Calhanoglu and awarded a free kick at the 44′ mark. Cubas then fouled Turkey’s Arda Guler, who was awarded a free kick but it was blocked. The match was briefly delayed at the 45′ mark due to injury to Paraguay’s Isidro Pitta. The official added six minutes. While Pitta was on the ground, the Turkey and Paraguay players began pushing an shoving each other.
Turkey took a free kick, Arda Guiler sent the ball aerial and Mert Muilder came skying in with a header from the center of the box. His shot hit off the goal post, not once, but twice. Paraguay dodged a bullet there.
Watch Matías Galarza rip through the defense to find the net. Goal. Paraguay.
Here’s a different angle of Galarza’s goal.
Scoring early in a match is such a Paraguay thing. Galarza’s goal was the earliest goal by a South American team at a World Cup since Paraguay’s Celso Ayala scored after 52 seconds against Nigeria in 1998.
Matías Galarza shocked the Turks with a goal in match’s opening minute. Moments later at the 4′ mark, he was served a yellow card for lunging late at Turkey’s Yunus Akgun.
Paraguay wasted no time getting on the board against Turkey. Matías Galarza scores its first goal in the game’s opening minute. It was 65 seconds in the game for those keeping count. Paraguay led 1-nil.
Although not apart of Paraguay’s starting XI, they have Maurício serving as a secret weapon. The 24-year-old has scored one goal, in his only attempt. He’s completed 15 passes. The kicker is, he’s only appeared in four matches.
Kenan Yildiz gets the starting nod against Paraguay. Yildiz didn’t start to open the World Cup games against Australia, but a change up in the roster could prove to be the thing that gets Turkey back into the win column. Yildiz is a star in the making at 21-years-old. He hasn’t registered a goal yet in six attempts, but has completed 38 passes in 29 appearances.
The game is airing on FS1, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App . Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock .
The matchup kicks off at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Turkey starting XI: Ugurcan Çakir, Merih Demiral, Kerem Aktürkoglu, Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Kenan Yildiz, Abdülkerim Bardakçi, Ismail Yüksek, Mert Müldür, Yunus Akgün and Ferdi Kadioglu.
Paraguay starting XI: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Cáceres, Júnior Alonso, Diego Gómez, Miguel Almirón, Andrés Cubas, Gustavo Gómez, Julio Enciso, Matías Galarza and Isidro Pitta.
The Group D match is being held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Seth Vertelney: Turkey 1-0 Paraguay
Paraguay is not as bad as it looked against the U.S. but Turkey had a decent performance against Australia, despite its loss. Expect the Turks to turn it around here.
Jon Arnold: Turkey 0-0 Paraguay
When Turkey’s attacking struggles meet Paraguay’s defensive style, it ends up with no goals.
Jesse Yomtov: Turkey 2-0 Paraguay
Turkey had a dud of an opener but they’ll turn it around and exploit Paraguay the same way the USMNT managed to.
Victoria Hernandez: Turkey 1-1 Paraguay
Both teams struggled to get their footing in each of their opening matches. They will each have a spark of life here, but won’t be able to find enough to pull away.
Friday night’s game is being played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
No, Turkey has never won the FIFA World Cup but reached the semifinals in 2002, ultimately finishing third.
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