Paraguay delivered a statement at the World Cup, securing their first-ever win over Türkiye behind a complete shift from Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas, who went the distance as the side's midfield anchor.
What happened
Cubas logged the full 90 minutes at the base of Paraguay's midfield, central to controlling the tempo across the match. His presence let Paraguay dictate the rhythm and close the door on a Türkiye side they had never previously beaten. The maiden victory is a first in the nations' World Cup meetings.
Why it matters
The result reshaped Group D, helping push the United States to the top of the table on the same matchday. For Paraguay, a first-ever win over Türkiye is a confidence marker as the group stage tightens. With knockout positioning now in focus, the three points carry weight beyond the scoreline.
What to watch next
Paraguay turn their attention to closing out the group stage and securing their path forward. Cubas's heavy minutes for the national team will be worth tracking ahead of his return to Whitecaps duty, with the midfielder again asked to carry a full workload in a high-stakes setting.