With a lightning goal, Paraguay eliminates Turkey and wins the first World Cup in 16 years
Paraguay defeated Turkey 1-0 this Saturday (20), at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, and achieved their first victory in the World Cup after a 16-year absence. SEE THE BEST MOMENTS:
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Revealed by Vasco, Matías Galarza found the net at the mark of one minute and four seconds, scoring the fastest goal of the current edition of the tournament.
In the first half, Miguel Almirón was sent off after speaking to his opponent while covering his mouth, an action that is not permitted according to the new FIFA protocol.
The Paraguayan team's last triumph occurred in 2010, in South Africa, when they beat Slovakia 2-0, still in the group stage. Now, Albirroja is third in Group D, with three points won.
Turkey, on the other hand, is eliminated from the World Cup with their second defeat in two games played. This was the European country's third participation in the history of the competition, as it also played in 1954 and 2002.
The Paraguayans will go after the place in the knockout stage next Thursday (25), at 11pm (Brasília time), when they face Australia, again in Santa Clara. On the same date and time, the Turks will face the already classified United States, at the SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles.
How was the match?
Needing the result, Paraguay took the lead with just one minute and four seconds into the game. Midfielder Julio Enciso rolled the ball to midfielder Matías Galarza, who took a risk from outside the area to score a beautiful goal.
Turkey responded at the 13-minute mark. Striker Kerem Aktürkoglu accelerated down the right and passed it to midfielder Arda Güler, who sent it over the opponent's goal. At 30, winger Kenan Yildiz attempted a bicycle kick from very far away and the ball ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The Turks continued to put pressure on their opponents and started to scare again in the 35th minute. Midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu took a free kick in the area and full-back Mert Müldür headed it firmly, but hit the crossbar and post in the same shot. The Paraguayan team arrived with full-back Juan Cáceres, finishing over goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir.
The South Americans' situation worsened in stoppage time, when winger Miguel Almirón was sent off. He covered his mouth while talking to a Turkish player, something that is not allowed under FIFA's new disciplinary protocol.
On the way back from half-time, defender Merih Demiral tried from long range and saw Gill defend calmly. Soon after, Yildiz invaded the area and shot to the right of the rival goal. In the 13th minute, Orlando Gill caught another opportunity from Demiral, again from outside the area.
In the 15th minute, Paraguay had the chance to expand with Enciso, who dribbled past four markers and shot wide. Afterwards, Yildiz crossed the ball and center forward Deniz Gül headed it into Gill's hands.
Needing the result to avoid elimination, Turkey piled up chances to equalize the dispute in the final stretch of the match. The best of them came in the 43rd minute, with a shot by striker Can Uzun that stopped at the Paraguayan goalkeeper. In the last move, Demiral headed into the corner and the ball scraped the post. Final result: 1 to 0 and Albirroja's dream lives on.
See the ranking of the most valuable squads of the World Cup
Source: CNN