It only took 65 seconds for Paraguay to go in front, as a missed pass allowed Los Guaranies to pounce. Matias Galarza went for goal from distance, firing beyond Ugurcan Cakir to put his team in front.
The Turks did not have their first notable chance until the 14th minute, when they went forward and tried to create something, only for Arda Guler to ultimately fire his effort over the crossbar. Turkey, playing in their first WC in 24 years, still kept the pressure coming.
Kenan Yildiz tried a bicycle kick from distance from a corner, but it was rather easy for Orlando Gill to make the stop.
Their closest attempt came just past the half-hour, as Mert Muldur’s header off a free-kick hit both the bar and the post but somehow stayed out.
Paraguay went the other way, as Juan Jose Caceres forced a save out of Cakır with a powerful strike.
What had already been a heated game changed just before the break, with the referee showing a red card to Miguel Almiron for covering his mouth while speaking with an opponent.
There was still a frustratingly similar story for Turkey, as Ismail Yuksek’s last shot before the break went wide.
Ay-Yildizlilar commenced the second half trying to break their opponents down, but it was Paraguay who nearly doubled their lead when Julio Enciso cut in from the right-hand side only to pull his effort wide.
Turkey went the other way with Yildiz picking out substitute Deniz Gul with his cross, but the striker’s header went straight at Gill. Going into the final 10 minutes, Can Uzun had an attempt that went just wide of the mark.
The best chance of the game for Vincenzo Montella’s men came just before the end of regulation time, as a smooth attack provided a chance for Uzun, whose attempt went straight at Gill in a moment the attacker would want back.
Merih Demiral had one more opportunity to tie things up deep in stoppage time, but the Al Ahli man could only head wide.
Similarly to their first game, the Turks created more than enough chances to win the match comfortably. Yet, despite having a man advantage for one whole half, they succumbed to a second successive reverse, resulting in their elimination.
Their game against the United States of America next Wednesday will be a dead rubber for both teams. As for Paraguay, they will play against Australia for second place in the group.
However, with their eighth group stage win in WC history, it is rather likely that Los Guaranies will go through regardless of the result in that match.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Turkey)