Matias Galarza of Paraguay scored the fastest goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, finding the net after just 64 seconds in a Group D match against Türkiye on Saturday. The 1-0 victory eliminated Türkiye from the tournament, leaving them with zero points at the bottom of the group.
Galarza's Lightning Strike
The 24-year-old midfielder, who plays for Talleres and is on loan at Atlanta United in MLS, was given a starting opportunity after missing Paraguay's opening fixture. He capitalized on a rapid early attack, unleashing a powerful low left-footed shot into the bottom corner to give his side a dream start.
Galarza's goal surpassed the previous tournament record set just hours earlier by Morocco's Ismael Saibari, who had scored after 70 seconds against Scotland. However, Galarza's involvement did not end there. Just two minutes after scoring, he received a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
Historic Red Card Under New Rule
The first half saw further drama when Paraguay's star midfielder Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card under FIFA's newly introduced "Prestianni Rule." During a verbal exchange with Türkiye's Mert Müldür, Almirón covered his mouth with his hand while speaking. Following a VAR review, referee Iván Barton issued a direct red card, making Almirón the first player in football history to be sent off for this specific offense.
The rule, implemented just before the tournament, aims to curb hidden discriminatory abuse. It presumes guilt and mandates an automatic dismissal for the act of obscuring one's mouth during a confrontation.
Paraguay Holds On
Despite playing the entire second half with 10 men, Paraguay defended resolutely to preserve their 1-0 lead. The result leaves Türkiye eliminated from the World Cup with no points, while Paraguay's hopes of advancing to the knockout stages remain alive.
