Zhipan Sport

10-man Paraguay knock out Turkey despite Almiron red card

Jun 20, 01:49 PM

Watch highlights as 10-man Paraguay win despite Miguel Almiron's red card, eliminating Turkey from the 2026 World Cup.

In a dramatic World Cup knockout match, Paraguay advanced to the next round despite playing with 10 men for most of the game, defeating Turkey 2-1. The turning point came early when midfielder Miguel Almiron was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle in the 30th minute. Instead of collapsing, Paraguay regrouped and took the lead just before halftime through a Gustavo Gomez header from a corner. Turkey dominated possession after the break but struggled to break down a disciplined Paraguayan defense. Goalkeeper Antony Silva made several crucial saves to keep his team ahead. In the 65th minute, Paraguay struck on the counterattack, with Antonio Sanabria slotting home after a precise through ball to make it 2-0. Turkey pulled one back through Hakan Calhanoglu in the 80th minute, setting up a tense finale. However, Paraguay held firm, with every player contributing to the defensive effort. The win was a testament to their resilience and tactical organization under pressure. Almiron's red card could have been disastrous, but Paraguay's collective spirit turned adversity into strength. Coach Eduardo Berizzo praised his team's 'never-say-die' attitude, which proved decisive. For Turkey, the defeat was a bitter end to a promising campaign, highlighting their inability to capitalize on numerical advantage. Paraguay now looks ahead to the next round with confidence, while Turkey must regroup and learn from this painful exit. The match will be remembered as a classic example of how teamwork can overcome individual setbacks.