Türkiye v Paraguay
Play By Play
The full-time whistle sounds at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium as 10-man Paraguay show resilience to defeat a wasteful Turkiye 1-0. The result sees dark horses Turkiye exit the World Cup with one game left to play, whereas Paraguay have given themselves a brilliant chance of progressing to the round of 32. Paraguay made the perfect start to the contest as Enciso’s flick-on allowed Galarza to strike a left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner after 65 seconds. Turkiye came close to levelling the scoreline, but Muldur saw his towering header rattle the woodwork before hitting the upright. Paraguay were then reduced to 10 men in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, thanks to a VAR intervention, after Almiron received a red card for covering his mouth as he said something to Muldur. Yildiz came close three minutes after the break, but the Juventus attacker hit the side netting from a tight angle. Enciso almost doubled Paraguay’s lead as he glided in from the right before dragging an attempt wide of the left-hand post before an unmarked Gul headed straight into the hands of a relieved Gill. Montella’s side almost found an 89th-minute equaliser, but Uzun’s 18-yard attempt was brilliantly denied by Gill, with Gul missing the rebound from close range. There was one last chance for Turkiye to keep their World Cup hopes alive in second-half stoppage time, but Demiral could only head Guler’s left-wing centre inches past the right-hand post. Turkiye created 32 shots with five on target, reflected by an xG of 2.10, whereas Paraguay registered seven shots with two on target, highlighted by an xG of 0.32. That concludes our live commentary of this entertaining 2026 World Cup Group D contest. We hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and take care!
FULL-TIME: TURKIYE 0-1 PARAGUAY
SO SO CLOSE!!!!! Turkiye have done everything BUT score! Guler clips a left-wing centre into the box, with Demiral rising highest, and heading inches past the right-hand post! The defender can't believe it!
One last chance for Turkiye? It's now or never for the dark horses...
The second change sees goalscorer Galarza depart for Canale.
As we enter stoppage time, Paraguay make a change as Enciso comes off for Avalos.
There will be SEVEN minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half!
BIG SAVE!! WOWWWW!!! Yilmaz races down the right flank before putting it on a plate for Uzun, who sees his 18-yard strike saved by Gill. It then falls to Gul, who fires wide of the left-hand post!
This is a surprising change. The lively Bardakci, who has posed a threat, comes off for Kokcu.
WHAT DO TURKIYE NEED TO DO TO SCORE?! Muldur sends a fizzing right-wing delivery into the box. Gul is destined to tap it in, but Gustavo Gomez somehow claws it away from the attacker! Brilliant defending from the Paraguay defender!
Uzun decides to have a pop at goal, but the substitute, who does well to skip past a couple of challenges, drags his strike wide of the goal. That pretty much sums up Turkiye in this game...
Caceres is replaced by Maidana. 10-men Paraguay are minutes away from recording an impressive victory!
OVER! Attempt number 24 for Turkiye! Calhanoglu lays it off for Muldur down the right, who rolls it across goal, but Demiral can only send it over the crossbar!
MISS! The lively Bardakci whips another delightful ball into the box, with an unmarked Muldur heading wide of the upright! Montella is visibly frustrated on the touchline!
Guler delivers a left-wing corner into the box, but the referee blows for a Paraguay free-kick after Gul handles the ball...
SAVE! It's just not happening for Turkiye! Bardakci collects a pass on the edge of the box before attempting to loop an effort into the top corner, but Gill somehow manages to get back and tip over the crossbar!
YELLOW! Seconds after coming on, Elmali is booked for bringing down Caceres! That is comical defending from the substitute!
A change for Turkiye sees Kadioglu replaced by Elmali.
The hydration break is over, and play has resumed!
The referee stops play for a hydration break! As it stands, the Opta predictor has Paraguay as favourites to win this game with a 53% chance. Turkiye have 20 minutes or so to save their World Cup dream...
Another change for Paraguay sees Diego Gomez replaced by Velazquez.
Turkiye have created six shots with three on target in the second half, but have failed to find the back of the net. As it stands, they are heading out of the World Cup!
CLOSE! Yildiz has space on the left, clipping a pass into a dangerous area, with substitute Gul heading straight into the hands of a relieved Gill! Shortly afterwards, Yildiz cuts inside from the left before sending an attempt wide of the upright...
CHANCE! Paraguay almost make it 2-0! The lively Enciso travels into the box from the right-hand side, gliding past three defenders before dragging an attempt well wide of the left-hand post!
The second change sees Akgun come off for Gul.
