Santa Clara, June 20, 2026: Paraguay kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive with a gritty 1-0 victory over Turkiye on Friday, while Brazil produced a dominant display to defeat Haiti 3-0 and move to the top of Group C.
Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza scored the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup so far, finding the net just over a minute into the Group D encounter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The decisive moment came when Galarza unleashed a powerful strike from around 25 yards despite being surrounded by three defenders, giving Paraguay an early lead they successfully defended for the remainder of the match.
Paraguay’s task became significantly more difficult just before halftime when veteran midfielder Miguel Almirón was shown a red card. According to match officials, Almirón was dismissed under a recently introduced FIFA regulation prohibiting players from covering their mouths while speaking to opponents.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Turkiye failed to find an equaliser. The Europeans repeatedly threatened, striking both the crossbar and post, while creating a host of chances.
Turkiye dominated the statistics with 32 shots, five on target, and 12 corner kicks, compared to Paraguay’s seven shots and no corners. However, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill produced a series of crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The result leaves Paraguay and Australia level on three points behind group leaders the United States men’s national soccer team, who secured qualification for the knockout stage with six points after defeating Australia earlier on Friday.
Paraguay will face Australia in a decisive final group match, while Turkiye, having lost both of their opening fixtures, have been eliminated from the tournament.
Brazil ease past Haiti
In Group C, five-time world champions Brazil delivered a much-improved performance to defeat Haiti 3-0 and strengthen their bid for a place in the knockout rounds.
Forward Matheus Cunha justified the faith shown in him by coach Carlo Ancelotti, scoring twice in his first World Cup goals for Brazil.
Star winger Vinícius Júnior was instrumental throughout, setting up both of Cunha’s goals before adding a goal of his own just before halftime.
Brazil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Vinícius cut inside and forced a save from Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide. Cunha reacted quickest to the loose ball to put Brazil ahead.
The pair combined again in the 36th minute as Vinícius slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Cunha’s path, allowing the striker to finish emphatically into the top corner.
Vinícius then capped an impressive first-half display in stoppage time, running onto a long pass from Lucas Paquetá and calmly slotting past the advancing goalkeeper.
Brazil’s victory, coupled with Morocco’s 1-0 win over Scotland earlier in the day, officially eliminated Haiti from the tournament. The South Americans now sit on four points, level with Morocco but ahead on goal difference, while Scotland remain on three points.
Despite the defeat, Haiti earned admiration for their spirited display and nearly pulled a goal back after the break when defender Ricardo Ade forced Brazil goalkeeper Alisson into an excellent reflex save.
Brazil will now head into their final group-stage fixture in a strong position as they seek a place in the World Cup knockout rounds.
