Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza wrote his name into the record books after scoring the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 during his side’s crucial Group D clash against Turkey.
Galarza struck just 64 seconds into the match, giving Paraguay an early lead and setting a new tournament record. The goal proved decisive as Paraguay held on for a 1-0 victory, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
The 23-year-old made an immediate impact after being handed a starting role. Paraguay had entered the contest under pressure following a heavy defeat in their opening game, making a positive start essential. Galarza delivered exactly that, catching the Turkish defence off guard with a stunning long-range effort that found the back of the net.
Dream start for Paraguay
The early breakthrough gave Paraguay confidence and momentum from the opening whistle. It also surpassed the previous fastest goal of the tournament, which had been set earlier on the same day. Galarza’s strike quickly became one of the standout moments of the World Cup so far, highlighting the midfielder’s growing importance to the national team.
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Paraguay continued to push forward after taking the lead, but the match took a dramatic turn before halftime when Miguel Almiron was shown a straight red card. The dismissal left Paraguay with 10 men and forced them to defend for much of the contest.
🚨🇵🇾⚡ NEW FASTEST GOAL OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP!
— Pitch Wire (@wire_pitch) June 20, 2026
🔥 Matías Galarza has set a new tournament record, scoring after just 1 minute and 5 seconds (65 seconds) for Paraguay.
📊 Fastest goals of the 2026 World Cup so far:
🥇 🇵🇾 Matías Galarza — 1:05 vs Turkey
🥈 🇲🇦 Ismael Saibari —… pic.twitter.com/NgowHPfc7i
Paraguay hold firm under pressure
Turkey dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities as they searched for an equaliser. However, Paraguay’s defence remained disciplined and organised throughout the second half.
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Despite relentless pressure from the Turkish attack, Paraguay managed to protect their narrow advantage until the final whistle. The victory not only secured three valuable points but also boosted their chances of progressing from the group stage.
For Galarza, the night was one to remember. His record-breaking goal delivered a historic moment for Paraguay and helped his team claim a vital World Cup win. The midfielder’s achievement now stands as the fastest goal scored at the FIFA World Cup 2026, adding another memorable chapter to the tournament.
