Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro praised the resilience and fighting spirit of his players after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Turkey at the FIFA World Cup on Friday, insisting that his side should never consider themselves inferior to any opponent.

Paraguay stunned Turkey just 64 seconds into the match when midfielder Matias Galarza unleashed a superb long-range strike to give the South Americans an early lead.

The goal proved decisive, but Paraguay were forced into a determined defensive effort for the remainder of the contest, particularly after star midfielder Miguel Almiron was sent off in first-half stoppage time.

Despite playing with 10 men for more than half the match, Paraguay held firm against relentless Turkish pressure to secure a crucial victory that revived their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

“We can face better teams and more important or prestigious opponents. We respect that, but we are never going to feel underdogs or inferior to any other opponents,” Alfaro told reporters after the match.

“We will always give our best and represent our jersey in the best possible way.”

The victory came as a strong response to criticism that followed Paraguay’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to co-hosts the United States in their opening Group D match.

Ahead of the Turkey clash, Alfaro had defended his squad from criticism, urging the media to direct scrutiny at him rather than his players.

His team answered in the best possible way, producing a spirited display that not only earned three points but also eliminated Turkey from the tournament.

Paraguay’s triumph, combined with the United States’ 2-0 victory over Australia earlier on Friday, confirmed the Americans as winners of Group D.

Alfaro admitted he was overwhelmed by emotion when the final whistle sounded.

“When we won the game when the final whistle was blown, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“I told my players that I wanted to see that joy when they look each other in the eyes, and you don’t need any words.

“Everything is boiling — your blood, your chest, everything. That’s what I wanted to see. I want that fighting spirit.”

The veteran coach said the result was less about tactics and more about character, determination and belief.

“Even if people think we’re dead, we’re not dead,” Alfaro declared.

Paraguay, appearing at their first World Cup since South Africa 2010, will return to the San Francisco Bay Area for their final group match against Australia on June 25, knowing another positive result could secure a place in the knockout rounds.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

As the Netherlands prepare for a crucial FIFA World Cup Group F clash against Sweden, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman will be reminded of a personal chapter that began against the same opponents more than four decades ago.

For Koeman, Saturday’s encounter is more than another World Cup fixture. It is a reunion with the team that handed him one of the most difficult introductions to international football.

On April 27, 1983, a 20-year-old Koeman made his debut for the Netherlands in a friendly match against Sweden in Utrecht. The occasion, which should have marked the beginning of a glorious international career, turned sour as the Dutch suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat.

Remarkably, that remains the only time Koeman faced Sweden during his distinguished playing career, despite going on to earn 78 caps for the Oranje and becoming one of the most celebrated defenders of his generation.

Now, 43 years later, he finds himself confronting the Scandinavian side again, this time from the touchline and with considerably more at stake.

The World Cup meeting comes at a critical moment for both nations. The Netherlands opened their campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Japan, while Sweden emphatically launched their tournament with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia.

A win for either side would place them firmly on course for a place in the Round of 32.

Koeman’s football journey since that difficult debut has been extraordinary. He became a cornerstone of the Netherlands team that won the 1988 European Championship, remains one of the highest-scoring defenders in football history, and enjoyed trophy-laden spells with clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.

As a coach, he has guided some of Europe’s biggest clubs and is now tasked with leading the Dutch challenge at the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Yet Sweden continue to occupy a unique place in his international story.

What began with disappointment in Utrecht has evolved into a curious football connection that spans more than four decades. Saturday’s contest offers Koeman an opportunity to finally enjoy success against the nation that spoiled his international debut.

The challenge, however, will be formidable.

Sweden arrive in a confident mood after dismantling Tunisia, with their five-goal performance serving notice of their attacking threat. The Dutch, meanwhile, know they must tighten their defence after surrendering a two-goal lead against Japan in their opening match.

History, therefore, adds an intriguing subplot to a fixture already carrying major significance.

For Koeman, the memories of that afternoon in 1983 may never completely fade. But football often offers opportunities for redemption, and the Dutch coach will hope that when he faces Sweden again on the World Cup stage, the outcome will be very different from the one that greeted him at the start of his international career.

With qualification ambitions hanging in the balance, Koeman’s long-awaited reunion with Sweden could become one of the defining moments of the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Ecuador will look to continue their strong record against Concacaf opposition when they face Curaçao in a Group E encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The South Americans enter the match having won their last two World Cup meetings with teams from the Concacaf region and will be eager to maintain that trend as they chase a place in the knockout rounds.

For Curaçao, however, the fixture represents an opportunity to create history.

The Caribbean nation is one of the tournament’s debutants and is still searching for its first World Cup victory. After suffering a heavy defeat to Germany in their opening match, Curaçao will be desperate to demonstrate the resilience and determination that earned them a place at the expanded 48-team tournament.

A victory would make them the first of the World Cup 2026 newcomers to register a win and would provide a significant boost to their qualification hopes.

Ecuador are expected to rely on their experience at this level, but they know underestimating Curaçao could prove costly. The underdogs have already shown flashes of attacking quality despite their difficult introduction against Germany.

As the group stage begins to take shape, both teams understand the importance of securing points. Ecuador are chasing progression, while Curaçao are chasing history.

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