Somehow, some way, despite losing Miguel Almirón to a red card in first-half stoppage time, Paraguay saw out a 1-0 win over Türkiye in Santa Clara to keep its knockout-stage hopes alive. It secured a first-place finish for the United States in the World Cup’s Group D with one match to spare.
Matías Galarza got La Albirroja off to a dream start in the second minute, but the dream became a nightmare after Almirón was sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. Despite Türkiye’s attempts to pull level, the equalizer never came as the loss eliminated the Crescent Stars from knockout stage contention.
Paraguay’s win means the USMNT will wrap up Group D play against Türkiye in Inglewood on Thursday night with its fate already secured. Paraguay, meanwhile, will return to Santa Clara to take on Australia with second place on the line. A win puts Paraguay in the Round of 32 as a second-place team, while dropping points means it will need to await other results to qualify as a third-place team.
In the Round of 32, the U.S. will face the third-place team in either Group B, E, F, I, or J on July 1 at 8 p.m. ET in Santa Clara.
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Galarza was incredible – my MotM. Too bad we can’t keep him.
Miggy’s nightmare 2026 continues. He has to be so disappointed in himself. Waited his entire life for this one WC. He may end up playing less than 120 minutes.
Honestly, quite disappointed in Almiron. He should no longer be allowed to wear the captain’s band for the rest of this season. I understand that he wants Paraguay to play well, but he has picked up a yellow for simulation and now earns a straight red for saying something terrible to an opponent while covering his mouth. That is definitely not something a captain should be doing…
Nobody complained about what he said, just that he covered his mouth while saying it.
I assume he said, “Smooth move, Ex-Lax.”
Either way, he should know better. As much as I think it is silly to get a straight red, but if you are going to cover your mouth to say something, mind as well go hard. Also the flopping for a foul and getting a yellow card is still a bad look as a team captain.
Yep, he made himself into a meme with the flop. I thought he could only go up from there, but Miggy went and got himself a shovel. He may yet get a chance to redeem himself if Paraguay can beat Australia.