(VIDEO) All Goals From Türkiye vs Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026

Türkiye and Paraguay enter their second World Cup match under immense pressure after opening-round defeats. In Santa Clara, three points could mean survival, while another loss could push either team to the brink of elimination.

2' Goal! Paraguay strikes first

Paraguay takes an early lead. Julio Enciso set up the play with a precise pass before Matías Galarza unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box that found the back of the net just moments after kickoff.

Score: Türkiye 0-1 Paraguay

Türkiye and Paraguay Fight to Survive

The second matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D delivers one of the most important games of the tournament so far. Türkiye and Paraguay arrive at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara knowing that anything less than a victory could seriously damage their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

What was supposed to be a celebration of two long-awaited World Cup returns has quickly become a fight for survival. With the United States and Australia already holding an advantage in the group, the pressure on both teams has reached another level.

Two Long-Awaited Returns That Started With Disappointment

The excitement surrounding both nations was impossible to ignore. Paraguay returned to the World Cup after a 16-year absence under the leadership of Gustavo Alfaro, while Türkiye made its first World Cup appearance since 2002, the year it stunned the football world by finishing third.

Paraguay suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against the United States, while Vincenzo Montella's Türkiye fell 2-0 to Australia despite controlling stretches of the match. The Turkish side created opportunities but lacked the finishing touch needed to capitalize on its possession.

Arda Güler and Julio Enciso Take Center Stage

If there is one individual battle that captures attention, it is the showdown between Arda Güler and Julio Enciso, two young stars expected to carry the hopes of their nations.

Türkiye will once again look to the creativity and vision of the Real Madrid midfielder, who remains the heartbeat of Montella's attacking plans. There is also optimism surrounding Kenan Yıldız, who could return to the starting lineup after dealing with physical discomfort that limited his involvement in the opener.

For Paraguay, Enciso and Miguel Almirón represent the team's biggest offensive threats. Their ability to create chances and drive the attack will be essential if La Albirroja hopes to bounce back after its difficult debut.

A Match That Could Shape the Entire Group D Race

A victory would revive confidence and keep qualification hopes firmly alive. A draw would complicate matters for both sides. A defeat could leave the losing team needing a miracle in the final round.

History offers little guidance heading into this encounter. Türkiye and Paraguay have almost no shared competitive history, with their only previous meeting coming in a friendly match back in 1995. That unfamiliarity adds another layer of unpredictability to an already tense occasion.