The report says Alfaro accepted the blame for Paraguay’s heavy loss and argued that criticism should be directed at him rather than the squad. His message is clear: the players must recover quickly, while the coach absorbs the pressure surrounding the result.
That approach reflects the demands of tournament football. A poor opening performance can dominate the conversation, but Paraguay cannot afford to let the defeat define its campaign. Alfaro reportedly believes the squad needs protection as it prepares for a response.
Paraguay and Turkey are both reported to enter the fixture without a point. Turkey’s opening match allegedly ended in a 2-0 defeat to Australia, leaving the upcoming contest as a direct opportunity to regain momentum.
The earlier meeting between the United States and Australia is also expected to shape the group picture. Whatever the result, Paraguay and Turkey face a simple competitive equation: defeat would leave either side in a difficult position, while victory could restore belief and keep qualification within reach.
Alfaro reportedly admitted that Paraguay were beaten across the board against the United States. The next challenge is to correct that performance without allowing debate over the original selection to consume the build-up.
The coach has indicated that the opening match is finished and that the focus must shift to Turkey. Matias Galarza reportedly described the defeat as a shock but called the next game a final, capturing the urgency inside the camp.
Paraguay’s next storyline will be whether Alfaro’s public defence of his squad produces a stronger collective performance. The Turkey match will test not only the team’s tactics, but also its ability to turn pressure into a response.