Pre-matchSaturday, June 20

Last Chance Saloon: Paraguay and Türkiye Fight for Survival in Group D

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With the United States already through and Australia in the driver's seat, Paraguay and Türkiye meet in a virtual elimination match where only a win keeps either side's tournament dream alive—and the pool has gone heavy on the Turks despite their shaky start.

The pool leans Turkish: 42 of you backed Vincenzo Montella's men to win, versus just 11 on Paraguay and 21 playing it safe with the draw—but after that 3–1 opening-night mauling by the United States, can the Crescent-Stars deliver when elimination looms?

The Maths: Win or Go Home

The Group D table makes brutal reading for both sides. The United States have already sealed passage with six points from two, Australia sit second on three with a game in hand, and both Paraguay and Türkiye are rooted to the bottom with zero points and negative goal difference. The equation is merciless: lose here and you're out, draw and you almost certainly need a miracle on the final day. Only a victory keeps realistic hope alive, turning this into a cup final five days into the tournament.

Team News & Tactical Battleground

Paraguay will look to Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso to unlock a Turkish defence that leaked three against the Americans, while manager Gustavo Alfaro faces selection dilemmas after his side's opening defeat. Türkiye boss Vincenzo Montella must solve the defensive frailties exposed in that 3–1 reverse—Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Arda Güler remain the creative heartbeat, but without a tighter backline, all the midfield craft in the world won't matter. Expect Montella to shuffle his defensive setup, possibly bringing in fresh legs to stem the tide, while both sides know they need to attack: a 0–0 helps neither.

What the Market Says

Early odds favour Türkiye as narrow favourites, reflecting their deeper talent pool and higher FIFA ranking, though the margin is tight after that opening stumble. The betting public sees a low-scoring, tense affair—just the sort of cagey must-win scrap where nerves can strangle the football. Paraguay's home support (assuming a pro-Guaraní crowd in the host nation) could tilt the emotional balance, but the Turks carry the technical edge if they can settle. It's a coin-flip dressed up as a slight away lean.

▸Sources (30)