Montella: Türkiye players can still hold heads high

Türkiye manager Vincenzo Montella urged his stars to try to stay positive despite exiting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ following their 1-0 defeat to Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Area Arena.

Speaking after the contest, Montella acknowledged the disappointment at his side’s exit after two opening phase fixtures, but insisted Türkiye must use the setback as motivation ahead of their showpiece fixture of the competition against hosts, as well as Group D winners USA.

"They need to come out of the dressing room sad because we are all sad,” Montella commented. “But they need to leave the dressing room with their heads held high. They’ve got nothing to hold against themselves in terms of their behaviour or their commitment.

“We need to harness all of that out on the field of play in the way we prepare for our next fixture. That’s our responsibility, that’s our duty, but we need to show the spirit that has characterised us right up until now.”

In response, while Türkiye reflected on a missed opportunity, Paraguay rejoiced a victory that leaves them firmly in contention for a place in the Phase of 32.

Gustavo Alfaro's side took the advantage through Matias Galarza, whose strike was the earliest of this World Cup after just 64 seconds, before battling through the late-stage opening period sending off of Miguel Almiron to hold on for a valuable victory.

Attempt-stopper Orlando Gill highlighted the importance of securing all three points after Paraguay's opening defeat.

"It was a very important victory,” Gill shared with FIFA after the contest. “We knew we had to get those three points by any means, and thankfully we managed to take them home. Now it’s time to rest, recover, and then, from Monday onwards, start focusing on what’s coming up on Thursday."

Meanwhile, that next contest is a crunch Group D clash with Australia, the result of which will see one of the sides progress in subsequent place behind the USA, as well as the other left in third place, hoping for other group results to go their way.

Rearguard star Juan Jose Caceres felt Paraguay responded perfectly after their setback against the United States in their World Cup opener.

"We’re really happy,” Caceres commented. “We managed to put the mistake we made against the United States right today, so we’re delighted to come away with the victory."

Paraguay manager Alfaro, meanwhile, revealed that containing Türkiye's creative talents had been a pivotal part of the fixture plan, with particular attention paid to Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler.

"We knew we had to use the quick break because the spaces were there,” Alfaro commented. “And that’s why what Matias [Galarza] provided was balance: good rearguard positioning, then double-marking in [Kenan] Yildiz's area, then closing down Guler as soon as he started to create chances.

“Guler had to be tracked – sometimes by [Galarza], sometimes by Andres [Cubas], sometimes by Diego [Gomez] – but we always had to keep an eye on him."