Julio Enciso Leads Paraguay as They Beat Turkey 2-1 with 10 Men

Paraguay won 2-1 over Turkey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage despite being reduced to ten men. Julio Enciso, the 22-year-old Strasbourg winger, delivered a key performance and recorded his second assist of the tournament. After the final whistle, Paraguay’s main creative force praised teammates and stressed the squad’s mental toughness in a difficult ninety minutes. He also credited supporters for helping the team push through the toughest stretches. Enciso’s form comes after an injury scare during a friendly against Nicaragua on June 5, making his impact even more notable. His rising trajectory was highlighted by his development on loan at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, after Brighton had agreed to sign him following BlueCo’s deal in August 2025. With the win, Paraguay gained a foothold in Group D alongside co-hosts USA and Australia. However, matches against Australia and the United States remain, so Paraguay still faces a thin margin for error. Turkey, meanwhile, must produce results in the remaining fixtures to stay in contention. In short: Paraguay’s gritty 2-1 win over Turkey, powered by Julio Enciso and a resilient team effort, reshapes the pressure on both sides in Group D.