The Paraguayan team won this Friday in Santa Clara by 0-1 over Türkiye in a tense and tight meeting that allowed him stay alive in the fight for qualification to the round of 32 of the World Cup.
Just at two minutes of playthe Guarani took the lead with a goal from Matias Galarzawho defined from the center of the area after a great assist from Julio Enciso.
With hardly any respite to react to the advantage of the team led by Gustavo Alfaro, the match became intense and disputedwith both teams trying safeguard their permanence in the group stage.
The Crescent Stars tried hard to find space, but the Paraguayan defense managed to neutralize the advance of the Turks.
Türkiye was about to tie in a set piece play that crashed into the crossbaralthough Paraguay responded with its clearest chance after the goal in the 37th minute.
Shortly before the break, the Guaraníes suffered a hard blow when Miguel Almirón saw the red card after covering his mouth to speak to a rival.
The expulsion makes history by being the first of its kind in a World Cup under the new rule of conduct that prohibits any player other than the captain from approaching to argue with the referee or rival and punishes gestures that try to hide protests or insults.
The Paraguayans faced the second half with one less player and they didn’t have it easy at all, but they still continued to fight to maintain their advantage.
‘La Joya’ Julio Enciso lived up to his nickname and showed a more versatile version than in the debut against the United States, establishing himself as the player who led the team to victory.
It also shined Orlando Gillwho saved the team in the most dangerous occasionsincluding two clear opportunities for the Ottomans in just four minutes.
Even so, the ball remained for much of the second half in the defensive area of Paraguaywhich resisted constant rival pressure.
Despite countless attempts, Türkiye did not find a way to break the Guarani wall and suffered a defeat leaves him eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup.
The departure of Enciso and Galarza, the latter removed on a stretcher in the final momentsreinforced Paraguay’s defensive strategy, while the Ottomans fought until the last breath.