Paraguay secured a surprising 1-0 victory over Turkey in World Cup 2026 qualifying, simultaneously eliminating Turkey from contention and claiming first place in Group D. The match, played in San Francisco, saw Paraguay play with ten men for the majority of the game after Miguel Almiron received an unusual red card for dissent – specifically, for speaking disrespectfully to the referee. Despite being a player down, the Paraguayan team withstood an onslaught of 31 shots from Turkey, demonstrating remarkable defensive fortitude. The lone goal proved decisive, propelling Paraguay to the top of their group. This result marks a significant upset and a historic achievement for Paraguay in the qualifying campaign. The United States will now benefit from Paraguay’s first-place finish in the group.