Paraguay's Matias Galarza celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group D against Turkiye in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, on June 19, 2026
| Photo Credit: AP
Matias Galarza scored 65 seconds into the game for the fastest goal at this year's World Cup and Paraguay held on for a 1-0 win over Turkiye on Friday night after playing a man down for more than half the match.Paraguay was short-handed after Miguel Almiron was issued a red card late in the first half for violating a new rule banning players from covering their mouth during a confrontation. But goalkeeper Orlando Gill made several key saves to preserve the lead.The win assured the United States would win Group D and eliminated Turkiye from any chance of advancing to the knockout round with its second straight loss. Paraguay will face Australia in the final match of the group stage next Thursday, with second place in the group on the line.FIFA World Cup 2026 | Turkiye vs Paraguay HighlightsParaguay bounced back from a 4-1 loss in the opener against the U.S. team thanks in part to a lineup change made by Gustavo Alfaro. Galarza, who plays for Atlanta United of the MLS, was put into the starting lineup after sitting out the opener and rewarded his coach when he sent a left-footed shot from about 25 yards into the net just 1:05 into the game.Turkiye nearly got the equalizer later in the first half but Mert Muldur's header off a free kick hit the cross bar and goal post.
