Paraguay defeats Chile, sinking them in the South American Qualifiers standings.
Alfaro's team achieved another victory and is one step away from the next World Cup, while Gareca's team cannot get out of the bottom of the table.
Chilean midfielder number 08 Arturo Vidal kicks the ball past Paraguayan midfielder number 10 Miguel Almirón during the South American qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Paraguay and Chile, at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, on March 20, 2025. (Photo by DANIEL DUARTE / AFP)
Paraguay defeated Chile 1-0 at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in a key match of the 13th round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup . Omar Alderete scored the goal for the Paraguayan team in the 15th minute of the second half, after a play by Professor Alfaro's laboratory that included a free kick to the far post, two headers and a conversion by the former player from Ciudad del Este.
La Roja , managed by Ricardo Gareca , needs a win to maintain its qualification hopes, while the home team, under Gustavo Alfaro , is looking to extend its unbeaten streak to six matches. The match will be refereed by Brazilian Raphael Claus , and the broadcast will be provided by TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play .
The match began intensely, with both teams vying for possession in midfield. Paraguay's Miguel Ángel Almirón and Chile's Vicente Pizarro were the most incisive players in the match. Forward Julio Enciso also created chances in attack and led the Paraguayan offense. After a dominant start for the home team, the Chilean team balanced the action in the closing minutes, although they did not create any clear-cut chances.
Paraguay , currently in sixth place with 17 points , has seen a remarkable rise in 2024 under Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro . The team maintains an important unbeaten record, after victories against important teams such as Brazil (1-0), Venezuela (2-1) and Argentina (2-1), as well as draws against Uruguay (0-0), Ecuador (0-0) and Bolivia (2-2) . These performances have given Paraguayans hope of returning to a World Cup, after years of absence.
However, coach Alfaro emphasized that the match against Chile will be treated as a "final ." For this match, the strategist called up 28 players , of which 25 play in foreign leagues. Despite expectations, Paraguay is without two of its key figures: captain Gustavo Gómez , defender for Palmeiras of Brazil, who suffered a collateral ligament injury, and Diego Gómez , midfielder for Brighton and Hove Albion, suspended after being sent off in the last match against Bolivia. On offense, the team is looking to maintain its effectiveness with figures such as Antonio Sanabria (Torino, Italy), Julio Enciso (Ipswich Town, England), and Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United, United States).
Chile, meanwhile, in second-to-last place with nine points , must win to maintain its hopes of reaching the playoffs. With six matches remaining in the qualifiers, the team coached by Argentine Ricardo Gareca is confident of turning things around after securing four out of six possible points in the final rounds, thanks to a goalless draw against Peru and a resounding 4-0 victory over Venezuela . Gareca emphasized the positive mental and footballing momentum of his players, asserting that "these are decisive matches" to achieve the World Cup dream.
The Chilean roster includes notable players such as the local league's leading scorer, the recently naturalized Fernando Zampedri , and the experienced Arturo Vidal. Additionally, Alexis Sánchez returns to the national team after a nine-month absence, although he has been struggling with poor performances with Udinese in Italy, raising doubts about his performance.
Formations:
Paraguay: Roberto Fernandez; Juan Caceres; Ramon Sosa; Damian Bobadilla; Julio Enciso; and Antonio Sanabria. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
Chile: Brayan Cortés; Felipe Loyola; Arturo Vidal; Lucas Cepeda; and Eduardo Vargas. Coach: Ricardo Gareca.
TV: DGO / TyCSports.
Referee: Raphael Claus.
Stadium: Defenders of Chaco, Asunción.
Paraguay defeats Chile, sinking them in the South American Qualifiers standings.
Alfaro's team achieved another victory and is one step away from the next World Cup, while Gareca's team cannot get out of the bottom of the table.
Chilean midfielder number 08 Arturo Vidal kicks the ball past Paraguayan midfielder number 10 Miguel Almirón during the South American qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Paraguay and Chile, at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, on March 20, 2025. (Photo by DANIEL DUARTE / AFP)
Paraguay defeated Chile 1-0 at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in a key match of the 13th round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup . Omar Alderete scored the goal for the Paraguayan team in the 15th minute of the second half, after a play by Professor Alfaro's laboratory that included a free kick to the far post, two headers and a conversion by the former player from Ciudad del Este.
La Roja , managed by Ricardo Gareca , needs a win to maintain its qualification hopes, while the home team, under Gustavo Alfaro , is looking to extend its unbeaten streak to six matches. The match will be refereed by Brazilian Raphael Claus , and the broadcast will be provided by TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play .
The match began intensely, with both teams vying for possession in midfield. Paraguay's Miguel Ángel Almirón and Chile's Vicente Pizarro were the most incisive players in the match. Forward Julio Enciso also created chances in attack and led the Paraguayan offense. After a dominant start for the home team, the Chilean team balanced the action in the closing minutes, although they did not create any clear-cut chances.
Paraguay , currently in sixth place with 17 points , has seen a remarkable rise in 2024 under Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro . The team maintains an important unbeaten record, after victories against important teams such as Brazil (1-0), Venezuela (2-1) and Argentina (2-1), as well as draws against Uruguay (0-0), Ecuador (0-0) and Bolivia (2-2) . These performances have given Paraguayans hope of returning to a World Cup, after years of absence.
However, coach Alfaro emphasized that the match against Chile will be treated as a "final ." For this match, the strategist called up 28 players , of which 25 play in foreign leagues. Despite expectations, Paraguay is without two of its key figures: captain Gustavo Gómez , defender for Palmeiras of Brazil, who suffered a collateral ligament injury, and Diego Gómez , midfielder for Brighton and Hove Albion, suspended after being sent off in the last match against Bolivia. On offense, the team is looking to maintain its effectiveness with figures such as Antonio Sanabria (Torino, Italy), Julio Enciso (Ipswich Town, England), and Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United, United States).
Chile, meanwhile, in second-to-last place with nine points , must win to maintain its hopes of reaching the playoffs. With six matches remaining in the qualifiers, the team coached by Argentine Ricardo Gareca is confident of turning things around after securing four out of six possible points in the final rounds, thanks to a goalless draw against Peru and a resounding 4-0 victory over Venezuela . Gareca emphasized the positive mental and footballing momentum of his players, asserting that "these are decisive matches" to achieve the World Cup dream.
The Chilean roster includes notable players such as the local league's leading scorer, the recently naturalized Fernando Zampedri , and the experienced Arturo Vidal. Additionally, Alexis Sánchez returns to the national team after a nine-month absence, although he has been struggling with poor performances with Udinese in Italy, raising doubts about his performance.
Formations:
Paraguay: Roberto Fernandez; Juan Caceres; Ramon Sosa; Damian Bobadilla; Julio Enciso; and Antonio Sanabria. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
Chile: Brayan Cortés; Felipe Loyola; Arturo Vidal; Lucas Cepeda; and Eduardo Vargas. Coach: Ricardo Gareca.
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