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Paraguay Scores Fastest World Cup Goal, Defeats Türkiye Despite Red Card
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Sports

Paraguay Scores Fastest World Cup Goal, Defeats Türkiye Despite Red Card

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Paraguay secured a 1-0 victory over Türkiye with the fastest goal of the World Cup this year, scored by Matias Galarza.
  • The team played with one man down for over half the match after Miguel Almiron received a red card for covering his mouth during a confrontation.
  • The win guarantees the United States will win Group D, eliminates Türkiye from the tournament, and sets up Paraguay to compete for second place against Australia.

Matias Galarza scored just 65 seconds into the game, marking the fastest goal of this year's World Cup, as Paraguay held on for a 1-0 victory against Türkiye. The win, achieved despite playing with ten men for more than half the match, ensures the United States will top Group D and eliminates Türkiye from advancing.

Paraguay's triumph came after Miguel Almiron received a red card late in the first half. He was penalized under a new rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths during confrontations. Despite the disadvantage, goalkeeper Orlando Gill made crucial saves to preserve the lead, thwarting Türkiye's 32-7 edge in shot attempts.

It’s unforgettable. This is the most beautiful stage in the world, playing amongst the best. I’m so proud. I hope that Paraguay is happy.

— Matias GalarzaDescribing his feelings after scoring the fastest goal of the World Cup and securing a victory for Paraguay.

"It's unforgettable," Galarza stated after the match. "This is the most beautiful stage in the world, playing amongst the best. I'm so proud. I hope that Paraguay is happy." Teammate Andres Cubas added, "These games are very tough, especially one man down. We have to highlight the great group effort and commitment we showed as a team to keep fighting and do this until the end."

It was very hard. These games are very tough, especially one man down. We have to highlight the great group effort and commitment we showed as a team to keep fighting and do this until the end.

— Andres CubasCommenting on the difficulty of playing with a man down and praising the team's effort.

Paraguay, who lost their opener 4-1 to the US, bounced back partly due to a lineup change by coach Gustavo Alfaro. Galarza, playing for MLS's Atlanta United, was inserted into the starting lineup and rewarded the decision with his early goal. Türkiye nearly equalized before halftime when Mert Muldur's header struck the crossbar and post.

Türkiye, appearing in their first World Cup since 2002, faced disappointment after high hopes. Despite dominating possession, they followed a 2-0 loss to Australia with another defeat. Turkish midfielder Arda Guler described his team's performance as "embarrassing." The team's 62 shots across two games without scoring is a record dating back to 1966, according to Opta Stats.

We should have scored some goals.

— Arda GulerExpressing disappointment with the team's performance and lack of scoring.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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