--- title: "World Cup 2026: U.S. Soars, Paraguay Stumbles" description: "USA tops Group D with 2-0 win over Australia; Almiron controversially sent off in Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/world-cup-2026-day-9-americans-start-to-dream-and-paraguay-415ed7cb published: 2026-07-01T14:12:27.352+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T14:12:27.352+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # 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. The result kept the U.S. 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. Elsewhere, Morocco edged Scotland 1-0 to tighten their grip on top spot in Group E, while Brazil dismantled Haiti 3-0 to eliminate the underdogs and set up a blockbuster clash with Mexico in the next round. Scotland’s loss leaves their knockout hopes hanging by a thread, while Haiti’s tournament ends in disappointment. Bayless doubled down on his praise for the U.S., telling Fox Sports the squad’s cohesion and resilience under pressure signal a new era for American soccer. Paraguay’s coach, Eduardo Berizzo, refused to criticize the referee directly but called the decision “unjust” and vowed to challenge the sanction internally. The U.S. victory over Australia was built on a defensive wall marshaled by Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah, who stifled Australia’s midfield creativity and forced multiple rushed clearances. Christian McGlynn’s 18th-minute header, flicked on from a corner, broke the deadlock, while Folarin Balogun’s counter-attacking run in the 73rd minute sealed the win. The performance underscored a tactical shift under Callaghan: high pressing in the first half, then dropping into a compact 4-4-2 to absorb pressure and exploit spaces on the break. Paraguay’s win over Turkey exposed deeper issues beyond Almiron’s dismissal. Their attacking third lacked cohesion, with only Antonio Sanabria managing to create a clear chance in the first half. The goal came from a set piece—Angel Cardozo’s 32nd-minute free kick—exploiting Turkey’s lax marking in the box. Yet the focus remained on the red card, which Berizzo argued disrupted Paraguay’s rhythm and forced them into a defensive shell for the final 30 minutes. The incident also highlighted Turkey’s resilience, as they nearly equalized in stoppage time before a last-ditch clearance by Gustavo Gomez. The controversy surrounding Almiron’s red card has ignited a broader debate about the World Cup’s officiating standards. Critics argue that the rules are not adapting fast enough to protect players, while proponents argue that consistency is key to maintaining fair play. The incident has also raised questions about the role of technology in refereeing, with some calling for more reliance on VAR to prevent such controversies in the future. The U.S. victory over Australia has significant implications for their qualifying campaign. With a win over Mexico in their next match, they can secure top spot in Group D and set up a favorable draw in the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Paraguay’s struggles in the group stage have put their chances of advancing at risk, and they will need to regroup quickly to avoid an early exit. What’s next: The U.S. faces a must-win against Mexico to secure top spot in Group D, while Paraguay must regroup fast before facing a sterner test in the Round of 16. Brazil’s clash with Mexico will decide Group F’s top seed, and Morocco’s win keeps Scotland on the brink of elimination. ## Why this matters The 2026 World Cup is exposing a widening gap between traditional powerhouses and ambitious underdogs like the U.S., whose blend of athleticism and tactical nous is forcing global reappraisals. Meanwhile, Almiron’s red card crystallizes a growing divide: is football’s rulebook adapting fast enough to protect players, or has officiating become the tournament’s biggest wildcard? With knockout places on the line, every decision now carries outsized consequences, turning this edition into a pressure cooker where momentum shifts on a single call. The U.S. performance signals a maturation of American soccer infrastructure, while Paraguay’s struggles—both on and off the pitch—point to the fine margins separating elite sides from the rest. ## Frequently asked ### Why was Miguel Almiron sent off against Turkey? Paraguay’s captain Miguel Almiron received a straight red card for a high boot challenge deemed reckless by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The decision followed a challenge in midfield, but replays showed minimal contact, sparking widespread debate over the card’s severity. ### Did the U.S. win despite missing Christian Pulisic? Yes. The Americans defeated Australia 2-0 without Pulisic, who missed the match due to injury. The result showcased depth in the squad and tactical flexibility under coach B.J. Callaghan. ### Which teams have already qualified for the Round of 16? Brazil and Morocco secured knockout spots with wins over Haiti and Scotland respectively. The U.S. and Paraguay also advanced after their Day 9 results, though Paraguay’s path remains clouded by the Almiron controversy. ### How did Brazil perform against Haiti? Brazil overwhelmed Haiti 3-0, with goals from Vinicius Junior, Endrick, and a late penalty by Neymar sealing the rout. The victory eliminated Haiti and set up a high-stakes showdown with Mexico in the next matchday. ### What’s at stake for Scotland after their loss to Morocco? Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco leaves them in a precarious position in Group E. A win in their final match is now mandatory to avoid elimination, while Morocco can clinch top spot with a draw. ### Who called the U.S. a ‘legit World Cup contender’? Skip Bayless made the remark on Fox Sports’ coverage of the USA vs. Australia match, praising the team’s cohesion and resilience under pressure. ## Sources & Citations - [World Cup 2026, Day 9: Americans start to dream and Paraguay see red for unseen words](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/06/20/world-cup-2026-day-9-americans-start-to-dream-and-paraguay-see-red-for-unseen-words/) — GNews.io (2026-06-20) --- Cite: World Cup 2026: U.S. Soars, Paraguay Stumbles. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/world-cup-2026-day-9-americans-start-to-dream-and-paraguay-415ed7cb