World Cup 2026: U.S. Soars, Paraguay Stumbles
USA tops Group D with 2-0 win over Australia; Almiron controversially sent off in Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey.
The United States powered past Australia 2-0 on Day 9 of the 2026 World Cup to top Group D, proving they’re more than a one-man show even without Christian Pulisic. Skip Bayless labeled the Americans a “legit World Cup contender,” citing their disciplined teamwork and tactical execution. unbeaten and on track for the knockout rounds.
Paraguay, meanwhile, scraped past Turkey 1-0 but spent most of the match celebrating Miguel Almiron’s controversial red card instead of their own goal. Almiron was dismissed for a gesture deemed reckless by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, sparking instant outrage from Paraguay’s bench and fans who saw the decision as disproportionate. The incident overshadowed a hard-fought win and raised fresh questions about officiating consistency.
