- With a great goal from their young star Diego Gomez, the Albirroja won by the minimum against Brazil.
- The Canarinha concedes defeat for the first time since Dorival Júnior took over as coach.
Paraguay’s national team once again displayed its traditional ‘Guarani grit’ on Tuesday, the 10th, in the eighth round of the South American Qualifiers, beating Brazil 1-0 in a packed Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción.
In their second match under the command of Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, La Albirroja won at home for the first time in this play-off, after drawing 0-0 in Montevideo on Friday, and now, with 9 points, they are in seventh place, which gives them the right to play in a play-off.
Brazil clung to fourth place in the standings with ten points, eight behind the leader, Argentina.
Midfielder Diego Gómez scored a long-range goal in the 20th minute, leaving goalkeeper Alisson with no chance.
Gómez received the ball on the left side of the area, held on to it, changed his front and masterfully placed the ball in the back of the net.
The Yellow green had imposed the pace of the game from the first minutes, but was unable to break the orderly defense set up by Alfaro.
On the ninth date, to be played on October 10, Bolivia will host Colombia, Ecuador will host Paraguay, Venezuela will host Argentina, Peru will host Uruguay and Chile will host Brazil.
— Match numbers –
- Diego Gómez scored his first goal for Paraguay’s senior national team in his ninth game. He had already scored six goals in 11 games for the Albirroja under-23s in 2024, between the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic tournament and the Paris Olympic Games.
- Paraguay scored goals in two of the eight matches played in these South American Qualifiers, in both cases after three matches without scoring and in both cases it was enough to win: 1-0 against Bolivia (matchday 4) and 1-0 against Brazil (matchday 8).
- Paraguay conceded just three goals in these South American Qualifiers, the lowest record among all participating teams. In addition, they kept a clean sheet in five of the eight matches in these South American Qualifiers,
- Paraguay has scored in five of the six times it has played at home against Brazil in the South American Qualifiers for the 21st Century World Cup (3W 2D 1L). La Albirroja has achieved more victories at home against the Canarinha since 2000 (3V in 6PJ) than in all previous crossings (2V in 16 PJ).
- Gustavo Alfaro took over the Albirroja at the start of this double date in the South American Qualifiers and so far they have not lost (1W 1D) and have not conceded any goals.
EFE /CONMEBOL.com
