SANTA CLARA: Paraguay and Turkiye head into Friday’s World Cup Group ‘D’ clash with little margin for error after opening defeats left both sides playing catch-up in the race for the knockout rounds.
Turkiye were stunned 2-0 by Australia in Vancouver, while Paraguay suffered a chastening 4-1 loss to the United States in Los Angeles.
With the US and Australia also meeting on Friday, the Group ‘D’ picture will become clearer before kickoff at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
But regardless of the early result, another defeat for Turkiye or Paraguay would leave them with a daunting final-round scenario and likely relying on other results across the 48-team tournament to stay alive.
Talent-laden Turkiye, led by captain Hakan Calhanoglu and inspired by 21-year-old Real Madrid attacker Arda Guler, were tipped to be the US’ strongest challengers in the group on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
Yet coach Vincenzo Montella was left frustrated after watching his side thwarted by a colossal Australia defensive effort for all the Turks’ possession and relentless attacking.
Paraguay’s return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence proved even more painful for Gustavo Alfaro’s side as the US made a mockery of the South Americans’ reputation for defensive organisation.
Five Paraguay players earned yellow cards in a collapse of discipline, including key attacker Miguel Almiron, so they will need to tread carefully against the Turks.
A second yellow card for any of the five would mean a suspension for the final match against Australia.
Exposed repeatedly on the counter-attack against the US, “La Albirroja” ( “the red and white “) can ill-afford to be passive against technically superior opponents.
They must find more ways to release the creativity of attacker Julio Enciso, who provided the assist for their sole goal to substitute Mauricio against the co-hosts.
Australia offered a blueprint in how to beat the more fancied Turkiye but it remains to be seen whether Paraguay have the defensive discipline and efficiency in transition to pull off a similar upset.
Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026