Turkey’s “Golden Generation” Suffers Another Setback at World Cup 2026
Turkey’s hopes at the 2026 World Cup took another hit as Vincenzo Montella’s side endured their second consecutive defeat in Group D, ensuring they finish bottom of the group.
The match against Paraguay got off to the worst possible start for Turkey, conceding a goal within moments. Galarza struck with the very first shot on target, unleashing a precise long-range effort into the bottom left corner from outside the penalty area, setting the tone for the encounter.
Much like their previous game against Australia, Turkey dominated possession in the opponent’s half but struggled to break down Paraguay’s defence. Their attempts from distance were either blocked or missed the target, leaving them unable to create clear-cut chances.
A turning point came late in the first half when Paraguay was reduced to ten men. Miguel Almirón was shown a red card during added time for covering his mouth with his hand while speaking to an opponent—a historic first red card of its kind at a World Cup. His dismissal left Paraguay a man down for the entire second half.
Despite their numerical advantage, Turkey failed to capitalize. The squad, featuring players from Europe’s top clubs, managed 32 shots but could not find the net, ultimately succumbing to a 1-0 defeat for the second straight group match.
With this win, Paraguay secured three points and will now face Australia in a battle for second place in Group D. Meanwhile, the United States have already clinched the top spot. Turkey’s loss means they are eliminated from the knockout stage with one group game remaining.
Match Details:
World Cup 2026 – Group D
Turkey 0–1 Paraguay
Goal: Galarza 2’
