Five Things We Learned From Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay

Turkiye Eliminated After Incredible Paraguay Performance

It seems as if every time I boot up the writing apparatus following a 2026 World Cup match, I'm deeming the game just gone as the 'game of the tournament'. Well, other than last night for Mexico vs South Korea, but I'm trying to forget that one.

However, this evening, that monniker is well-earned. Ten-man Paraguay holding off against a Turkish onslaught and a numerical disadvantage for an entire half of football to record a massive 1-0 win and eliminate their opposition from the tournament had thrills, spills, quality and stupid red cards all to enjoy.

There was certainly plenty left to discuss, so these were our main takeaways from a frantic bout of international action.

1 - Stop Calling Turkiye 'Dark Horses'

I believe it was at the Euros in 2021, where Tom Garratt first tagged Turkiye as 'dark horses' for the tournament they were in. That didn't transpire then, as they were unceremoniously grouped in a collective featuring Italy, Switzerland and Wales. Oh how we laughed.

However, the resurgence of quality in Turkish football, one that has spawned the likes of Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, has seen that same tag thrown around for them once again this year. Well, we have to stop.

Their constant penchant for long shots, poor finishing and overt emotions cost them against Australia and cost them their spot in the tournament tonight. With a game up against an in-form USA up next and with Australia and Paraguay set to meet, they are out of the World Cup. We simply have to stop calling them dark horses, and let them quietly surpass our expectations for their glittering array of talent without the pressure.

2 - This Red Card Rule is Stupid

I mean I get why we have the whole 'don't cover your mouth' rule.

It was that scenario that made the investigation into Gianluca Prestianni's alleged racial abuse so difficult to figure out. The extreme measure taken to counter abusive behaviour from players was to stop them obscuring what they say from the cameras.

However, it does feel a little bit daft.

Miguel Almiron covered his mouth in conversation with a Turkish player tonight, and the player immediately picked up on this and reported him to the officials. A quick VAR check confirmed the offence, and Almiron's night was over.

But I mean... really?

Having a World Cup game-and-a-half taken off of you for simply covering your mouth when talking seems pretty damn stupid. However...

3 - Getting Sent Off Because of it is Worse

Almiron is very, very stupid for getting caught out by the rule.

The new rule of covering your mouth is extreme for a reason. It is there to counter alleged abuse from players, and is such an extreme measure only because surely nobody would be silly enough to break it?

Well, Almiron thought different.

It'll serve as an example going through the tournament that, yes, this rule is somehow real and this dismissal should be the only one of it's kind. But you would imagine the existence of the new rule would have been drilled into every single player at this tournament a million-and-one times.

Almiron's infringement is a very harsh red card, but one that should not have even been risked by the former Newcastle winger. It was a moment of carelessness only countered by the incredible responsive defending from his Paraguay cohorts.

4 - The Diving Has to Stop

As my colleague Arthur Turner first called after Scotland's defeat to Morocco last night, the diving at the 2026 World Cup has been a little insane.

Throughout the tournament, we've seen loads of comical dives from players in the hope they can win a penalty for their side. However, it's one thing making the most out of a tackle, but it's another embarrasing yourself while the world is watching.

John McGinn was guilty of this last night for one reason, after making a meal out of scratch from the Moroccan defender, and Paraguay had plenty of it on display this evening for the other reason. Although, after a BS red card like they had, you feel like letting them off slightly.

The officiating has been questionable during this tournament, but not when it comes to simulation.

5 - Strategy Will Only Take You so Far

Paraguay's win this evening was not through anything anyone could coach nor anyone teach.

This was a win built out of a pure-bred love for the game. Out of an emotion built only through the prestige of representing your nation at a World Cup, and cut by the hypothetical steel blade of raw, dogged emotion.

Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete and Orlando Gill, amongst many others in the Paraguayan entourage, were spurred on purely by the spirit and passion of the moment. They had everything thrown at them, and they threw everything they had within them right back where it came from.

It goes to show the simple blueprint that many underdogs at this World Cup have read cover-to-cover so far - dig in, remember what and who you are playing for, and leave everything out on the pitch.