2026 FIFA World Cup — Group D, Matchday 2 | June 20 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas
DALLAS — In the 41st minute, Turkey won a corner. The ball bounced around the box, and Baris Yilmaz pounced on the second ball, stabbing it through a crowd of bodies and past the goalkeeper.
1-0. The Turkish fans inside AT&T Stadium erupted. Their team, beaten by Australia in the opener, had one foot in the match.
But Paraguay have Miguel Almiron.
In the 67th minute, Almiron picked up the ball outside the box. He looked up once. He struck. The ball arced — a stunning, dipping, swerving shot from 25 yards — and flew into the top left corner. Ugurcan Cakir launched himself across the goal. He had no chance.
1-1.
That was the story of Dallas. Two teams who had both lost their openers. One point each. One lifeline each.
Turkey: Ahead, Then What?
Turkey lost their opener to Australia. This match was a must-win. Yilmaz’s goal — coming just before half-time, the perfect moment to score — gave them exactly what they needed.
But after the goal, what did Turkey do?
They retreated. They let Paraguay have the ball. They let Almiron roam free in midfield. They let the game slip from their control into Paraguay’s hands. This is Turkey’s recurring weakness — they do not know how to play with a lead.
In the second half, Turkey managed two shots. Zero on target. They were not defending a victory. They were waiting for the final whistle. And when you wait for the final whistle, football tends to punish you.
Paraguay: Almiron’s Moment of Magic
Paraguay also lost their opener — 1-0 to the United States. Another defeat would have left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Almiron would not let that happen.
The Newcastle United winger is Paraguay’s talisman. His speed, dribbling, and long-range shooting are his country’s primary attacking weapons. In the 67th minute, when he received the ball outside the box, everyone knew what he was going to do. He did it anyway. The shot was unstoppable.
That is the magic of a star player — you know what is coming. You still cannot stop it.
Group D Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 2 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Turkey | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Paraguay | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Match Details:
- Turkey 1-1 Paraguay
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
- Goals: Yilmaz 41′ (Turkey); Almiron 67′ (Paraguay)
- Man of the Match: Miguel Almiron (Paraguay)