Turkey Eliminated From World Cup: 62 Shots, Zero Goals

Turkey became the first team eliminated from the World Cup after a 0-1 loss to Paraguay in Santa Clara. Despite playing the entire second half with a one-man advantage and recording 32 shots, Turkey finished last in Group D with zero goals and zero points across two matches, according to tournament data.

Matías Galarza scored the match’s only goal in the second minute, marking the fastest goal of the tournament. Turkey maintained 79% possession and an 89% pass accuracy, but failed to convert their offensive pressure into a score.

Shortly before halftime, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón received a red card for placing his hand over his mouth while speaking. This marked the first time a new FIFA rule resulted in a red card during a World Cup, according to the match report.

Did You Know? Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was sent off before halftime for putting his hand over his mouth while speaking, the first instance of a new FIFA rule being applied at a World Cup.

How did Turkey’s offensive struggle happen?

Turkey recorded 32 shots against Paraguay and a total of 62 shots over two tournament games without scoring. Coach Vincenzo Montella claimed the team had 65 shots across two matches, stating his players “left their heart and soul on the field.”

The lack of scoring included missed opportunities from Arda Güler and headers from Müldür that hit both the crossbar and the post. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu attributed some of the result to “a bit of bad luck.”

Arda Güler described the performance as “shameful” and stated that the team was “crying in the locker room” while apologizing to the Turkish people.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the gap between the team’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal run and this elimination suggests a potential system failure. While the roster features world-class talent like Inter captain Çalhanoğlu and Real Madrid’s Güler, the inability to score despite 60+ attempts indicates a collapse in mental or tactical execution under World Cup conditions.

Why is the “Güler Generation” facing criticism?

Expectations were high following a Hürriyet headline after playoff qualification that read, “The fear of Turkey has begun.” The Turkish Football Association president had also set a “clear goal” for the squad.

The team, featuring Arda Güler (21), Kenan Yıldız (21), and Can Uzun (20), was seen as the successor to the 2002 squad. This same group reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2024 in Germany, where they eliminated Austria.

The current result leaves Turkey at the bottom of Group D with a minus-three goal difference. This contrasts sharply with the optimism surrounding the “Güler Generation” prior to the tournament.

What happens next for Turkey in Group D?

Turkey is officially eliminated from the competition. They cannot advance as a best third-place team, as that would require at least three or four points.

Turkey Players Crying Badly in Ground when Türkiye got eliminated from Fifa World Cup 2026

The team is scheduled to play a final group match against the USA on June 26. Because the USA has already qualified as group winners with six points, the match carries no sporting relevance for Turkey.

According to current standings, the USA leads Group D with two wins and a 6:1 goal ratio, while Australia and Paraguay both hold three points.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Turkey’s final match of the tournament?
Turkey plays the USA on June 26.

How many goals has Turkey scored in the World Cup so far?
Turkey has scored zero goals in two matches.

Who scored the winning goal against Turkey?
Matías Galarza scored for Paraguay in the second minute of the game.

Do you think the Turkish national team can recover from this tournament performance by the next World Cup in four years?