Galarza's 64-second goal downs Turkey as 10-man Paraguay survive

Galarza scores after 64 seconds, Paraguay beat Turkey 0–1 with ten men

Paraguay 0–1 Turkey in Houston and your team took a giant step toward the knockout stage. Matías Galarza scored after 64 seconds (9). Paraguay held on for 88 minutes with a goal to protect, then spent the entire second half down to ten men. Turkey threw everything forward and could not break through. The result eliminates Turkey from the World Cup (1) (4) (5) (7) (11).

Galarza's goal came from a rapid transition, one of the fastest in the tournament so far (9). Paraguay set up in a compact block after taking the lead and defended with discipline. Turkey dominated possession and created chances, but every cross and shot met a Paraguay body. The backline did not crack. It was the kind of performance Paraguay fans know from past tournaments: gritty, structured, resilient. After the 4–1 collapse to the United States, this was a complete reset.

Daniel Garnero got the setup right. The team looked nothing like the side that conceded four in the opener. Quick transitions were still a weapon, but this time the defensive structure held against sustained pressure.

Almiron sent off, the first red card under FIFA's mouth-covering rule

Miguel Almiron made World Cup history, and not in the way anyone wanted. He received a straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur, the first-ever sending-off under FIFA's new mouth-covering rule (3) (10) (12) (13) (14).

The rule prohibits players from covering their mouths during on-pitch conversations, introduced to prevent lip-reading and verbal provocation. Almiron was booked for simulation in the opening match against the United States, a yellow FIFA later defended as correct. Now he has a red card that forced Paraguay to play the entire second half with ten men (2) (3) (6) (9) (10).

Paraguay survived without him. But Almiron will miss the next match through suspension, leaving Garnero without his most influential attacker for a crucial group finale.

Turkey are out, Paraguay control their fate

Turkey arrived as a dark horse pick. Two losses later, they are eliminated (1) (4) (5) (7) (11). Paraguay, meanwhile, go into the final Group D match with a knockout berth within reach. One more performance like Friday's and your team extends its stay in this tournament.