Paraguay defeated Türkiye 1-0 on Saturday in a Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Santa Clara, California [1, 2, 3].

The victory signals a potential turnaround for the national team and establishes their competitiveness on the global stage during the tournament.

Paraguay secured the lead almost immediately. Reports on the timing of the opening goal vary, with one source citing it occurred 65 seconds into the match [4], while another said it happened just two minutes in [5].

The match became a test of endurance for the Paraguayan side after a red card was issued to Almirón. Consequently, Paraguay played with 10 men for more than half of the game [6]. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the team maintained the 1-0 lead until the final whistle [1].

Following the match, head coach Gustavo Alfaro said to the media during a press conference to discuss the team's performance and mental state [1, 7]. Alfaro highlighted the fighting spirit of his players and addressed the perception of the team's status in the tournament.

"Our team should never have to feel like underdogs," Alfaro said [1].

The win in the U.S. provides Paraguay with critical momentum as they navigate the group stage. The result underscores a disciplined defensive effort and an aggressive start that allowed them to dictate the tempo of the match despite the early loss of a player [6].

“"Our team should never have to feel like underdogs."”

This result demonstrates Paraguay's tactical resilience and psychological shift under Gustavo Alfaro. By securing a win while shorthanded, the team has proven it can withstand high-pressure scenarios, moving them from a perceived underdog status to a legitimate threat in Group D.