Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza hits historic 64-second World Cup winner
Matias Galarza secured his place in football history by scoring the fastest goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to give Paraguay a crucial 1-0 victory over Turkiye in Santa Clara. The 24-year-old midfielder intercepted a loose pass deep in the Turkish half and launched a precise low drive past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir with just 64 seconds on the clock.
This lightning-fast strike broke the short-lived tournament record set earlier that day by Morocco's Ismael Saibari, who scored after 70 seconds against Scotland. The victory brings much-needed relief to La Albirroja following their heavy 4-1 opening match loss to the United States. Conversely, Turkiye now faces elimination from Group D after consecutive defeats, having previously lost 2-0 to Australia.
Rising Star Delivers Under Pressure
Galarza, an Asuncion-born talent who currently plays for Atlanta United on loan from River Plate, has become an essential asset for his national team since his 2022 debut. His decisive strike completely altered the tactical dynamics of the game, forcing Turkiye into a desperate chase from the opening whistle.
Interestingly, while Galarza now claims the 2026 speed record, the all-time tournament record still belongs to Turkiye. Former striker Hakan Sukur famously found the net after a mere 10.8 seconds against South Korea during the 2002 tournament. Paraguay will now look to carry this winning momentum into their final group stage matches as they fight for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Image Courtesy: ANI
