Türkiye coach Vincenzo Montella calls for resilience after a narrow defeat to Paraguay, while South American side boost qualification hopes
Türkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella has encouraged his squad to remain proud and composed despite their early elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paraguay national football team at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Montella admitted the disappointment of exiting the tournament after just two group-stage matches but stressed that his players should not lose confidence. He insisted that their commitment and discipline throughout the campaign deserved recognition, urging them to carry that spirit into their final Group D fixture against the United States men’s national soccer team.
“The players must feel the sadness, but they should leave the dressing room with their heads held high,” Montella said. “There is nothing to question about their effort. We must take this experience and use it to improve in our next challenge.”
While Türkiye reflected on their early exit, Paraguay kept their qualification hopes alive with a vital win. Gustavo Alfaro’s side struck early through Matías Galarza, who scored after just 64 seconds—the fastest goal of the tournament so far—before surviving a tense spell following Miguel Almirón’s sending off.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill highlighted the importance of the result after Paraguay’s opening defeat, calling the victory essential for their survival in the group. Defender Juan José Cáceres also praised the team’s response, saying they had corrected earlier mistakes and executed their game plan effectively.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro revealed that neutralising Türkiye’s attacking threats, particularly Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler, was central to his tactical setup. He explained that defensive rotations and double-marking systems were used to limit creativity from Güler and Kenan Yıldız.
The result leaves Paraguay in a strong position heading into a decisive Group D clash with Australia, where qualification for the Round of 32 will be on the line. A win or favourable result could see them progress alongside group leaders USA, while Türkiye are left to regroup and reflect on an early but hard-fought campaign.
