Turkey - Paraguay / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the Turkey vs. Paraguay match in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, also broadcast live on JOJ Šport, kicks off at 05:00 AM.

The time for aesthetic play is over; the World Cup now enters the unforgiving realm of tournament mathematics. The second round of the group stage brings a crucial confrontation between two teams defeated in their opening matches, whose performances, however, couldn't have been more different. While the Crescent Stars suffered from wildly inaccurate finishing despite immense pressure, the South American representative endured a defensive collapse unprecedented in their modern history. The stakes are incredibly high, and only a hundred percent effort will suffice for redemption.

Paraguay entered the tournament in disastrous fashion, losing heavily 1-4 to the USA. The fate of the match was sealed after just 45 minutes, with the scoreboard reading 0-3. To illustrate, Paraguay had conceded the same number of goals in the first halves of their previous 16 World Cup finals matches combined.

Although there was a slight resurgence in play after the break, with Maurício finding the net after a pass from Julio Enciso, it wasn't enough to turn the tide. For a team that boasted the second-best defense in South American qualifiers (conceding only 10 goals in 18 matches), this was a significant blow. The coach's charges, who had won three of their four pre-tournament games, paid the price for playing too openly. Against Turkey, they must unconditionally revert to their traditional identity – a disciplined and deep defensive block. However, the availability of two key players, Gustavo Caballero and Ramón Sosa, is questionable due to health concerns.

Turkey experienced the complete opposite scenario in their opening match against Australia (0-2). They clearly dominated possession with 72% and unleashed an incredible 30 shots. Football history books had to be consulted – no team since the 1974 World Cup had fired so many shots at goal without scoring in regular time.

Offensive gem Arda Güler took eight shots (three on target), and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu created four key passes, but all efforts were thwarted by the excellent Patrick Beach. Vincenzo Montella's side thus saw their eight-match unbeaten streak come to an end. However, the Italian strategist is not panicking, as his team hasn't lost two consecutive matches since March 2024. It remains to be seen whether the talented Kenan Yildiz, who only came on as a substitute in the last game due to health issues, will start.

Historical records show only one previous encounter between these two teams, which ended in a goalless draw in June 1995. Given the immense importance of the match and Paraguay's defensive redemption efforts, a high-scoring shootout is not expected this time either.

Turkey is expected to be more offensively active again, with statistics suggesting they could strike particularly in the second half – they have scored in six of their last seven matches during this period. On paper, Montella's squad is favored and should either win the match or lead by at least one goal at some point.