Turkey, Paraguay Face Must-Win Match as Analyst Backs +243 Draw

Q: Will manager Vincenzo Montella be fired following Turkey's disastrous and immediate World Cup elimination after just two matches?

There is no confirmed indication that Vincenzo Montella will be fired immediately after Turkey’s World Cup exit. What is clear is that the pressure is severe. Turkey’s 1-0 loss to Paraguay, after a 2-0 defeat to Australia, ended its tournament after two matches with zero points and no goals scored. Montella is facing heavy criticism from commentators, columnists and supporters, and there are widespread calls for his resignation or dismissal. His own post-match remarks, in which he defended his commitment and said he felt “more Turkish” than those “creating chaos,” showed he is under intense scrutiny. But the available reporting stops short of any official move by the Turkish Football Federation. There has been no public statement that Montella has been sacked or that he has resigned. In fact, the broader context points the other way: before the tournament, TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu had publicly backed him, saying the federation would continue with him, and reports in April said the TFF was even preparing a new deal through 2030 after already extending him to 2028. So the most accurate answer is that Montella’s future is in doubt, but his firing is not confirmed. If the TFF decides that the scale of the failure outweighs its previous support, a change is possible. For now, though, the evidence shows intense pressure rather than a formal dismissal.

3 articles · Updated · Covers · Jun 20

Friday’s Turkey-Paraguay World Cup game is shaping up as a pivotal Matchday 2 test after both teams opened with defeats, and the analyst’s top pick is a draw at +243.
Turkey enters under pressure after a 2-0 loss to Australia, with knockout hopes already squeezed and concerns lingering over a blunt attack despite creative talent such as Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Kenan Yildiz is expected to be fit after coming off the bench while managing an injury in the opener, giving coach Vincenzo Montella a boost even as Turkey’s recent form remains unconvincing.
Paraguay was routed 4-1 by the United States but had beaten Argentina and Brazil in qualifying, supporting the view that it can stay competitive by defending deep and countering.
The outlook is for a low-scoring match in Santa Clara, with Under 2.5 goals favored and Julio Enciso highlighted as Paraguay’s most likely scorer at +375.