Türkiye's World Cup campaign came to a painful end on Friday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay despite dominating large parts of their Group D clash.
An early strike from Matías Galarza, scored just 64 seconds into the match, proved decisive as Paraguay secured a vital victory and kept their qualification hopes alive.
For Türkiye, it was a frustrating repeat of familiar problems. They created chances, controlled possession and spent much of the game on the front foot, but once again failed to turn opportunities into goals.
The South Americans produced a determined defensive display after taking the lead through Galarza's long-range effort, the fastest goal of the tournament so far.
Paraguay's task became even more difficult in the second half when Miguel Almiron was sent off, leaving his side to play the remaining minutes with 10 men.
Yet Türkiye could not find a way through.
Backed by noisy support in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paraguay absorbed relentless pressure and defended with discipline to protect their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
Türkiye enjoyed overwhelming possession and finished with 32 attempts on goal. However, their finishing let them down at the worst possible moment.
Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız and Real Madrid youngster Arda Güler were among those unable to convert promising opportunities as frustration grew throughout the match.
The defeat mirrored Türkiye's opening loss to Australia, another game in which they created numerous chances but failed to make them count.
The result leaves Türkiye out of the tournament after two defeats from two matches.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella admitted the outcome was difficult to accept but praised his players for their commitment.
"I'm sad but I'm also very proud of my players. They gave everything right up until the final whistle. That's what football is like," he said.
For Paraguay, the victory revives hopes of reaching the knockout stages. For Türkiye, it marks an early and disappointing exit from a tournament that began with high expectations.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source wh...
Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing tr...
The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with larg...
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Ukraine has agreed to refrain from targeting certain tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Financial Times reported, although Kyiv has continued strikes on Russian targets at the port.
Taiwan has criticised a planned joint naval exercise involving China and Indonesia near its eastern waters, describing it as a politically charged move designed to strengthen Beijing's claims over areas surrounding the island.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged residential buildings, port infrastructure and grain facilities, Russian officials and industry sources said on Wednesday.
Romanian military divers have destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas development in the country’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment