Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

The tournament consists of two parts, the qualification phase and the final phase (officially called the World Cup Finals). The qualification phase, which currently take place over the three years preceding the Finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the Finals. The current format of the Finals involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup Finals is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.

Paraguay have appeared in the finals of the World Cup on eight occasions, the first being at the very first finals in 1930, where they finished in 11th position. Their last participation in the FIFA World Cup was in 2010.

They did not qualify for the finals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia as they ended among the last four teams in the CONMEBOL qualification group.

Record at the FIFA World Cup

YearRoundPositionGPWD*LGFGA
Uruguay 1930Group stage9th210113
Italy 1934Did not enter
France 1938
Brazil 1950Group stage11th201124
Switzerland 1954Did not qualify
Sweden 1958Group stage12th3111912
Chile 1962Did not qualify
England 1966
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986Round of 1613th412146
Italy 1990Did not qualify
United States 1994
France 1998Round of 1614th412132
South Korea Japan 2002Round of 1616th411267
Germany 2006Group Stage18th310222
South Africa 2010Quarter-finals8th513132
Brazil 2014Did not qualify
Russia 2018
Qatar 2022To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026
Total8/21-27710103038
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks

By Match

World Cup Round Opponent Score Result Venue Scorers
1930Group stage United States0–3LMontevideo&
 Belgium1–0WMontevideoL. Peña
1950Group stage Sweden2–2DCuritibaA. López, C. López Fretes
 Italy0–2LSão Paulo&
1958Group stage France3–7LNorrköpingF. Amarilla (2), J. Romero
 Scotland3–2WNorrköpingJ. Agüero, C. Ré, J. Parodi
 Yugoslavia3–3DEskilstunaJ. Parodi, J. Agüero, J. Romero
1986Group stage Iraq1–0WTolucaRomerito
 Mexico1–1DMexico CityRomerito
 Belgium2–2DTolucaR. Cabañas (2)
Round of 16 England0–3LMexico City&
1998Group stage Bulgaria0–0DMontpellier&
 Spain0–0DSaint-Étienne&
 Nigeria3–1WToulouseC. Ayala, M. Benítez, J. Cardozo
Round of 16 France0–1 (a.e.t.)LLens&
2002Group stage South Africa2–2DBusanR. Santa Cruz, F. Arce
 Spain1–3LJeonjuC. Puyol (o.g.)
 Slovenia3–1WSeogwipoN. Cuevas (2), J. Campos
Round of 16 Germany0–1LSeogwipo&
2006Group stage England0–1LFrankfurt&
 Sweden0–1LBerlin&
 Trinidad and Tobago2–0WKaiserslauternB. Sancho (o.g.), N. Cuevas
2010Group stage Italy1–1DCape TownA. Alcaraz
 Slovakia2–0WBloemfonteinE. Vera, C. Riveros
 New Zealand0–0DPolokwane&
Round of 16 Japan0–0 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 pen.)
DPretoria&
Quarter-finals Spain0–1LJohannesburg&

Record by Opponent

FIFA World Cup matches (by team)
Opponent Wins Draws Losses Total Goals Scored Goals Conceded
 Belgium110232
 Bulgaria010100
 England002204
 France002238
 Germany001101
 Iraq100110
 Italy011213
 Japan010100
 Mexico010111
 New Zealand010100
 Nigeria100131
 Scotland100132
 Slovakia100120
 Slovenia100131
 South Africa010122
 Spain012314
 Sweden011223
 Trinidad and Tobago100120
 United States001103
 Yugoslavia010133

The Results

Paraguay competed at three World Cups by 1958, and after a long gap they re-appeared in 1986. Later, they achieved a streak of four participations: South Africa 2010 was Paraguay's fourth consecutive trip to the World Cup final tournament, having previously qualified for the final in 1998, 2002 and 2006. After a poor qualifying campaign, however, Paraguay failed to qualify for the tournament in 2014, missing out on the chance to play in a World Cup hosted on their own continent, in Brazil. Three times they survived the first round of the international football tournament, with the summit being in 2010 where reached the quarter-finals.

1930 FIFA World Cup

In the first round, Paraguay debuted and lost to the United States (0–3), to then defeat Belgium (1–0) with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team was to advance from the group stage, and the U.S. left Paraguay behind.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 United States 220060+64
 Paraguay 210113−22
 Belgium 200204−40
United States 3–0 Paraguay
Patenaude  10', 15', 50'[1] Report
Attendance: 800
Referee: José Macías (Argentina)
United States
UNITED STATES:
GK1Jimmy Douglas
DF2Alexander Wood
MF3Andy Auld
FW4Bart McGhee
FW5Bert Patenaude
MF6Billy Gonsalves
DF7George Moorhouse
MF8Jim Brown
DF9Jimmy Gallagher
DF10Raphael Tracey
FW11Tom Florie (c)
Manager:
Robert Millar
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Modesto Denis
FW2Aurelio González
FW3Delfín Benítez Cáceres
FW4Diógenes Domínguez
MF5Eusebio Díaz
MF6Francisco Aguirre
DF7José Miracca
FW8Lino Nessi
FW9Luis Vargas Peña (c)
DF10Quiterio Olmedo
MF11Romildo Etcheverry
Manager:
Argentina José Durand Laguna

Linesmen:
Martin Aphesteguy (Uruguay)
Anibal Tejada (Uruguay)

Paraguay 1–0 Belgium
Vargas Peña  40'[2] Report
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
Attendance: 900
Referee: Ricardo Vallarino (Uruguay)
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Pedro Benítez
FW2Aurelio González
FW3Delfín Benítez Cáceres
MF4Eusebio Díaz
FW5Gerardo Romero
FW6Lino Nessi
FW7Luis Vargas Peña (c)
DF8Quiterio Olmedo
DF9Salvador Flores
MF10Santiago Benítez
MF11Tranquilino Garcete
Manager:
Argentina José Durand Laguna
Belgium
BELGIUM:
GK1Arnold Badjou
MF2August Hellemans
FW3Ferdinand Adams
FW4Gérard Delbeke
DF5Henri De Deken
FW6Jacques Moeschal
FW7Jan Diddens
FW8Louis Versyp
DF9Nic Hoydonckx
MF10Pierre Braine (c)
DF11Theodore Nouwens
Manager:
Hector Goetinck

Linesmen:
José Macías (Argentina)
Domingo Lombardi (Uruguay)

1950 FIFA World Cup

In their return to the World Cup, Paraguay faced Sweden and Italy in Group 3. Paraguay failed to advance to the next round after a 2–2 draw against Sweden and a 2–0 loss against Italy.

Team Pld W D L GF GA Pts
 Sweden 2110543
 Italy 2101432
 Paraguay 2011241
 India withdrew
Sweden 2 – 2 Paraguay
Sundqvist  17'
Palmér  26'
Report López  35'
López Fretes  74'
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Robert Mitchell (Scotland)

Italy 2 – 0 Paraguay
Carapellese  12'
Pandolfini  62'
Report

1958 FIFA World Cup

For the 1958 World Cup, Paraguay surprisingly qualified ahead of Uruguay (beating them 5–0 in the decisive game) with a team that contained a formidable attacking lineup with stars such as Juan Bautista Agüero, José Parodi, Juan Romero, Cayetano Ré and Florencio Amarilla. In their first game in Sweden, Paraguay were 3–2 up against France in a game they lost 7–3. A 3–2 win over Scotland and a 3–3 draw with Yugoslavia saw Paraguay finish third in their group.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
 France 32011171.574
 Yugoslavia 3120761.174
 Paraguay 31119120.753
 Scotland 3012460.671
  • France finished ahead of Yugoslavia on goal average
France 7 3 Paraguay
Fontaine  24 ',  30 ',  67'
Piantoni  52'
Wisnieski  61'
Kopa  70'
Vincent  83'
Report Amarilla  20 ',  44' (pen.)
Romero  50'
Attendance: 16,500
Referee: Gardeazabal (Spain)

Paraguay 3 2 Scotland
Agüero  4'
 45'
Parodi  73'
Report Mudie  24'
Collins  74'
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Orlandini (Italy)

Paraguay 3 3 Yugoslavia
Parodi  20'
Agüero  52'
Romero  80'
Report Ognjanović  18'
Veselinović  21'
Rajkov  73'
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Macko (Czechoslovakia)

1986 FIFA World Cup

Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986 with a team starring Roberto Fernández in goal; Cesar Zabala, Rogelio Delgado and Juan Bautista Torales in defense; Jorge Amado Nunes and Vladimiro Schettina in midfield; midfield playmaker Julio Cesar Romero and strikers Roberto Cabañas, Ramón Hicks and Rolando Chilavert (older brother of José Luis Chilavert). In first round matches, Paraguay defeated Iraq (1–0, goal Romerito) and then tied Mexico (1–1, goal Romerito) and Belgium (2–2, both goals Roberto Cabañas). They reached the second round where they were beaten 3–0 by England.[3]

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Mexico 321042+25
 Paraguay 312043+14
 Belgium 31115503
 Iraq 30031430
Paraguay 1 0 Iraq
Romero  35' Report
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Roberto Fernández
DF2Juan Torales
DF3César Zabala
DF4Vladimiro SchettinaYellow card 45'
DF5Rogelio Delgado (c)
MF6Jorge Amado Nunes
MF10Adolfino Cañete
MF8Julio César Romero
FW7Buenaventura Ferreira
FW11Alfredo Mendoza 88'
FW9Roberto Cabañas
Substitutions:
MF16Jorge Guasch 88'
Manager:
Paraguay Cayetano Ré
Iraq
IRAQ:
GK1Raad Hammoudi Salman (c)
DF3Khalil Mohammed Allawi
DF4Nadhim Shaker Salim
DF5Samir Shaker MahmoudYellow card 29'
DF15Natiq Hashim Abidoun
DF22Ghanim Oraibi Jassim
MF6Ali Hussein Shihab
MF7Haris Mohammed Hassan 67'
MF14Basil Gorgis Hanna 81'
FW10Hussein Saeed Mohammed
FW8Ahmad Radhi Amaiesh
Substitutions:
FW11Abdul-Rahim Hamed Aufi 67'
MF19Basim Qasim Hamdan 81'
Manager:
Brazil Evaristo de Macedo
Mexico 1 1 Paraguay
Flores  3' Report Romero  85'
Attendance: 114,600
Mexico
MEXICO:
GK1Pablo Larios
DF2Mario TrejoYellow card 80'
DF3Fernando Quirarte
DF14Félix Cruz
DF17Raúl Servín
MF16Carlos Muñoz
MF10Tomás Boy (c) 58'
MF13Javier Aguirre
FW22Manuel NegreteYellow card 26'
FW15Luis Flores 77'
FW9Hugo SánchezYellow card 75'
Substitutions:
MF7Miguel España 58'
FW5Francisco Javier Cruz 77'
Manager:
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Bora Milutinović
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Roberto Fernández
DF2Juan Torales 80'
DF3César Zabala
DF4Vladimiro SchettinaYellow card 30'
DF5Rogelio Delgado (c)
MF6Jorge Amado Nunes
MF10Adolfino Cañete
MF8Julio César Romero
FW7Buenaventura Ferreira
FW11Alfredo MendozaYellow card 5' 62'
FW9Roberto Cabañas
Substitutions:
MF16Jorge Guasch 62'
FW20Ramón Hicks 80'
Manager:
Paraguay Cayetano Ré
Paraguay 2 2 Belgium
Cabañas  50', 76' Report Vercauteren  30'
Veyt  59'
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Roberto Fernández
DF2Juan Torales
DF3César Zabala
DF5Rogelio Delgado (c)
MF16Jorge Guasch
MF6Jorge Amado Nunes
MF10Adolfino Cañete
MF8Julio César RomeroYellow card 55'
FW7Buenaventura Ferreira
FW11Alfredo Mendoza 68'
FW9Roberto Cabañas
Substitutions:
FW20Ramón Hicks 68'
Manager:
Paraguay Cayetano Ré
Belgium
BELGIUM:
GK1Jean-Marie Pfaff
DF5Michel Renquin
DF19Hugo Broos
DF13Georges Grün 89'
MF21Stéphane Demol
MF6Franky Vercauteren
MF22Patrick Vervoort
MF8Enzo Scifo
MF11Jan Ceulemans (c)Yellow card 55'
FW16Nico Claesen
FW18Daniel Veyt
Substitutions:
DF3Franky Van Der Elst 89'
Manager:
Belgium Guy Thys
England 3 0 Paraguay
Lineker  31', 73'
Beardsley  56'
Report
Attendance: 98,728
England
ENGLAND:
GK1Peter Shilton (c)
DF2Gary M. Stevens
DF3Kenny Sansom
DF5Alvin MartinYellow card 37'
DF6Terry Butcher
MF16Peter Reid 58'
MF4Glenn Hoddle
MF17Trevor Steven
MF18Steve HodgeYellow card 67'
FW20Peter Beardsley 80'
FW10Gary Lineker
Substitutions:
DF15Gary A. Stevens 58'
FW9Mark Hateley 80'
Manager:
England Bobby Robson
Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
GK1Roberto Fernández
DF2Juan Torales 64'
DF3César Zabala
DF4Vladimiro Schettina
DF5Rogelio Delgado (c)
MF6Jorge Amado NunesYellow card 60'
MF10Adolfino Cañete
MF8Julio César Romero
FW7Buenaventura Ferreira
FW11Alfredo Mendoza
FW9Roberto Cabañas
Substitutions:
MF16Jorge Guasch 64'
Manager:
Paraguay Cayetano Ré

1998 FIFA World Cup

A new generation of players helped end the World Cup drought in grand fashion, as the Albirroja reached the 1998 World Cup in France by qualifying in second place in South America, behind Argentina. The first round matches were against Bulgaria (0–0), Spain (0–0), and Nigeria (3–1; goals Celso Ayala, Miguel Ángel Benítez and José Cardozo). Paraguay qualified to the second round (Round of 16) to be defeated in a thrilling match against hosts and eventual World Champions France. France only scored through Laurent Blanc in the 114th minute, during the second half of overtime (making it the first golden goal scored in a World Cup). Paraguay's central defending duo (Carlos Gamarra and Celso Ayala) and goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert were selected for the all-star World Cup team.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Nigeria 32015506
 Paraguay 312031+25
 Spain 311184+44
 Bulgaria 30121761
Paraguay 0–0 Bulgaria
Report
Paraguay
Bulgaria
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
DF4Carlos Gamarra
DF5Celso Ayala
FW9José Cardozo 70'
MF10Roberto Acuña
DF11Pedro Sarabia
MF13Carlos Paredes
FW15Miguel BenítezYellow card 45'
MF16Julio Cesar Enciso
MF19Carlos Morales 43'
MF21Jorge Campos 78'
Substitutions:
DF20Denis Caniza 43'
FW18César Ramírez 70'
MF7Julio César Yegros 78'
Manager:
Brazil Paulo César Carpegiani
GK1Zdravko Zdravkov
DF2Radostin Kishishev
DF3Trifon Ivanov (c)Yellow card 73'
DF4Ivaylo Petkov
MF5Ivaylo Yordanov
MF6Zlatko Yankov
FW8Hristo StoichkovYellow card 45'
FW9Luboslav Penev 68'
MF10Krassimir Balakov
MF11Ilian Iliev 77'
MF16Anatoli NankovYellow cardYellow cardRed card 27', 89'
Substitutions:
FW7Emil Kostadinov 68'
MF18Daniel Borimirov 77'
Manager:
Hristo Bonev

Assistant referees:
Achmat Salie (South Africa)
Hussain Ghadanfari (Kuwait)
Fourth official:
Nikolai Levnikov (Russia)

Spain 0–0 Paraguay
Report
Spain
Paraguay
GK1Andoni Zubizarreta (c)
RB15Juan Carlos Aguilera
CB5Abelardo 56'
CB4Rafael Alkorta
LB12SergiYellow card 8'
RM17Joseba Etxeberria
CM6Fernando Hierro
CM18Guillermo Amor
LM21Luis Enrique
CF9Juan Antonio Pizzi 52'
CF10Raúl 65'
Substitutions:
FW7Fernando Morientes 52'
MF16Albert Celades 56'
FW19KikoYellow card 87' 65'
Manager:
Javier Clemente
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
DF2Francisco ArceYellow card 76'
DF4Carlos Gamarra
DF5Celso AyalaYellow card 30' 73'
FW8Arístides Rojas 83'
MF10Roberto Acuña
DF11Pedro Sarabia
FW15Miguel Benítez
MF16Julio César EncisoYellow card 45'
DF20Denis Caniza
MF21Jorge Campos 45'
Substitutions:
MF13Carlos Paredes 45'
MF7Julio César Yegros 73'
FW18César Ramírez 83'
Manager:
Brazil Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees:
Aristidis Chris Soldatos (South Africa)
Owen Powell (Jamaica)
Fourth official:
Esse Baharmast (United States)

Nigeria 1–3 Paraguay
Oruma  10' Report Ayala  1'
Benítez  58'
Cardozo  86'
Nigeria
Paraguay
GK1Peter Rufai (c)
FW4Nwankwo Kanu
DF6Taribo West
FW9Rasheed Yekini
MF11Garba Lawal
MF13Tijani Babangida
MF15Sunday Oliseh 45'
DF16Uche Okafor
DF17Augustine EguavoenYellow card 25'
MF18Wilson Oruma 68'
DF19Ben IrohaYellow card 38'
Substitutions:
DF21Godwin Okpara 45'
MF7Finidi George 68'
Manager:
Serbia and Montenegro Bora Milutinović
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
DF2Francisco Arce
DF4Carlos Gamarra
DF5Celso Ayala
FW9José Cardozo
DF11Pedro Sarabia
MF13Carlos Paredes
FW15Miguel Benítez 67'
MF16Julio César Enciso
FW17Hugo Brizuela 77'
DF20Denis Caniza 55'
Substitutions:
MF7Julio César Yegros 55'
MF10Roberto Acuña 67'
FW8Aristides Rojas 77'
Manager:
Brazil Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees:
Mohamed Al Musawi (Oman)
Mikael Milsson (Sweden)
Fourth official:
Masayoshi Okada (Japan)

France 1 0
(a.e.t.)
 Paraguay
Blanc  113' Report
France
Paraguay
GK16Fabien Barthez
RB15Lilian Thuram
CB5Laurent Blanc
CB8Marcel Desailly
LB3Bixente Lizarazu
CM7Didier Deschamps (c)
CM17Emmanuel Petit 69'
RW13Bernard Diomède 76'
LW6Youri Djorkaeff
CF20David Trezeguet
CF12Thierry Henry 64'
Substitutes:
MF11Robert Pirès 64'
MF14Alain Boghossian 69'
FW9Stéphane Guivarc'h 76'
Manager:
Aimé Jacquet
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)Yellow card 19'
RB2Francisco ArceYellow card 84'
CB4Carlos Gamarra
CB5Celso Ayala
LB11Pedro Sarabia
CM10Roberto Acuña
CM16Julio César EncisoYellow card 32'
CM13Carlos Humberto Paredes 74'
AM21Jorge Luis Campos 55'
AM15Miguel Ángel BenítezYellow card 23'
CF9José Cardozo 91'
Substitutes:
MF7Julio César Yegros 55'
DF20Denis Caniza 74'
MF8Aristides Rojas 91'
Manager:
Brazil Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees:
Nimal Wickeramatunge (Sri Lanka)
Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Fourth official:
Esse Baharmast (United States)

2002 FIFA World Cup

Paraguay returned to the world's greatest stage once more in the 2002 World Cup. In their first match, Paraguay tied South Africa 2–2 (goals: Roque Santa Cruz and Francisco Arce). Paraguay lost to Spain in the second game (1–3) and finally defeated Slovenia (3–1; goals Nelson Cuevas, twice, and Jorge Luis Campos) to qualify for the second round. Germany ended Paraguay's dreams in the World Cup with an 88-minute goal.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 3 0 0 9 4 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Paraguay 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 4
3  South Africa 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4  Slovenia 3 0 0 3 2 7 5 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

All times local (UTC+9)

Paraguay 2–2 South Africa
Santa Cruz  39'
Arce  55'
Report Mokoena  63'
Fortune  90+1' (pen.)
Paraguay
South Africa
GK22Ricardo TavarelliYellow card 90'
CB18Julio César CáceresYellow card 35'
CB5Celso Ayala
CB4Carlos Gamarra (c)
RWB2Francisco Arce
LWB21Denis CanizaYellow card 65'
CM10Roberto Miguel Acuña
CM6Estanislao Struway 86'
CM8Guido Alvarenga 66'
AM11Jorge Campos 73'
CF9Roque Santa Cruz
Substitutions:
MF14Diego Gavilán 66'
MF16Gustavo Morínigo 73'
DF17Juan Carlos FrancoYellow card 90+3' 86'
Manager:
Italy Cesare Maldini
GK16Andre Arendse
RB4Aaron MokoenaYellow card 3'
CB13Pierre IssaYellow card 9' 27'
CB19Lucas Radebe (c)
LB3Bradley Carnell
RM2Cyril Nzama
CM12Teboho Mokoena
CM6MacBeth Sibaya
LM7Quinton Fortune
CF17Benni McCarthyYellow card 38' 78'
CF15Sibusiso ZumaYellow card 45+2'
Substitutions:
MF9MacDonald Mukasi 27'
FW23George Koumantarakis 78'
Manager:
Jomo Sono

Man of the Match:
Francisco Arce (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Igor Sramka (Slovakia)
Curtis Charles (Antigua and Barbuda)
Fourth official:
Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

Spain 3–1 Paraguay
Morientes  53', 69'
Hierro  83' (pen.)
Report Puyol  10' (o.g.)
Spain
Paraguay
GK1Iker Casillas
RB5Carles Puyol
CB6Fernando Hierro (c)
CB20Miguel Ángel Nadal
LB3Juanfran
RM21Luis Enrique 46'
CM8Rubén BarajaYellow card 9'
CM17Juan Carlos Valerón 85'
LM11Javier de Pedro
CF7Raúl
CF10Diego Tristán 46'
Substitutions:
MF4Iván Helguera 46'
FW9Fernando Morientes 46'
MF19Xavi 85'
Manager:
José Antonio Camacho
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
CB18Julio César Cáceres
CB5Celso Ayala
CB4Carlos Gamarra
RWB2Francisco ArceYellow card 44'
LWB21Denis Caniza 78'
CM14Diego GavilánYellow card 60'
CM10Roberto Acuña
CM13Carlos Paredes
CF9Roque Santa CruzYellow card 80'
CF20José Cardozo 63'
Substitutions:
FW11Jorge Campos 63'
MF6Estanislao Struway 78'
Manager:
Italy Cesare Maldini

Man of the Match:
Fernando Morientes (Spain)

Assistant referees:
Wagih Farag (Egypt)
Brighton Mudzamiri (Zimbabwe)
Fourth official:
Mohamed Guezzaz (Morocco)

Slovenia 1–3 Paraguay
Ačimovič  45+1' Report Cuevas  65', 84'
Campos  73'
Attendance: 30,176
Referee: Felipe Ramos (Mexico)
Slovenia
Paraguay
GK12Mladen Dabanovič
CB22Spasoje Bulajič
CB3Željko MilinovičYellow card 79'
CB15Rajko Tavčar
RM7Đoni Novak
CM8Aleš Čeh (c)
CM11Miran PavlinYellow card 15' 40'
LM19Amir KarićYellow card 68'
AM18Milenko Ačimovič 62'
CF21Sebastjan Cimirotič
CF9Milan Osterc 77'
Substitutions:
FW13Mladen RudonjaYellow card 69' 40'
MF20Nastja ČehRed card 81' 62'
FW16Senad Tiganj 77'
Manager:
Danilo Popivoda
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
CB18Julio César Cáceres
CB5Celso Ayala
CB4Carlos Gamarra
RWB2Francisco Arce
LWB21Denis Caniza
CM13Carlos ParedesYellow cardYellow cardRed card 4', 22'
CM10Roberto Acuña
CM8Guido Alvarenga 53'
CF20José Cardozo 61'
CF9Roque Santa Cruz
Substitutions:
MF11Jorge Campos 53'
FW23Nelson Cuevas 61' 92'
MF17Juan Carlos Franco 92'
Manager:
Italy Cesare Maldini

Man of the Match:
Nelson Cuevas (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Leif Lindberg (Sweden)
Visva Krishnan (Singapore)
Fourth official:
Kim Young-joo (Korea Republic)

Germany 1–0 Paraguay
Neuville  88' Report
Germany
Paraguay
GK1Oliver Kahn (c)
RB22Torsten Frings
CB3Marko Rehmer 46'
CB2Thomas Linke
LB21Christoph Metzelder 60'
RM19Bernd SchneiderYellow card 35'
CM16Jens Jeremies
CM13Michael BallackYellow card 90+2'
LM17Marco Bode
CF7Oliver Neuville 90+2'
CF11Miroslav Klose
Substitutions:
MF15Sebastian Kehl 46'
DF4Frank BaumannYellow card 71' 60'
FW14Gerald Asamoah 90+2'
Manager:
Rudi Völler
GK1José Luis Chilavert (c)
RB2Francisco Arce
CB18Julio César Cáceres
CB5Celso Ayala
CB4Carlos Gamarra
LB21Denis Caniza
CM15Carlos Bonet 84'
CM10Roberto AcuñaYellow cardRed card 26', 90+2'
CM6Estanislao Struway 90+1'
CF20José CardozoYellow card 50'
CF9Roque Santa Cruz 29'
Substitutions:
FW11Jorge Campos 29'
MF14Diego Gavilán 84'
FW23Nelson Cuevas 90+1'
Manager:
Italy Cesare Maldini

Man of the Match:
Jens Jeremies (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Curtis Charles (Antigua and Barbuda)
Dramane Dante (Mali)
Fourth official:
Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

2006 FIFA World Cup

In 2006, Paraguay qualified for its third World Cup in a row. This time, two early defeats against England and Sweden (both 0–1) sent the team home early. The only consolation was defeating Trinidad and Tobago during the last and final group game by 2–0.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  England 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Sweden 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3  Paraguay 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 3
4  Trinidad and Tobago 3 0 1 2 0 4 4 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

All times local (CEST/UTC+2)

England 1–0 Paraguay
Gamarra  3' (o.g.) Report
England
Paraguay
GK1Paul Robinson
RB2Gary Neville
CB5Rio Ferdinand
CB6John Terry
LB3Ashley Cole
DM4Steven GerrardYellow card 19'
RM7David Beckham (c)
LM11Joe Cole 83'
AM8Frank Lampard
CF10Michael Owen 56'
CF21Peter CrouchYellow card 63'
Substitutions:
MF20Stewart Downing 56'
MF16Owen Hargreaves 83'
Manager:
Sweden Sven-Göran Eriksson
GK1Justo Villar 8'
RB21Denis Caniza
CB5Julio César Cáceres
CB4Carlos Gamarra (c)
LB3Delio Toledo 82'
RM6Carlos Bonet 68'
CM13Carlos Humberto Paredes
CM10Roberto Miguel Acuña
LM16Cristian Riveros
CF9Roque Santa Cruz
CF18Nelson ValdezYellow card 22'
Substitutions:
GK22Aldo Bobadilla 8'
FW23Nelson Cuevas 68'
DF2Jorge Núñez 82'
Manager:
Uruguay Aníbal Ruiz

Man of the Match:
Frank Lampard (England)

Assistant referees:
José Luis Camargo (Mexico)
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)
Fourth official:
Coffi Codjia (Benin)
Fifth official:
Celestin Ntagungira (Rwanda)

Sweden 1–0 Paraguay
Ljungberg  89' Report
Attendance: 72,000
Sweden
Paraguay
GK1Andreas Isaksson
RB7Niclas Alexandersson
CB3Olof Mellberg (c)
CB4Teddy LučićYellow card 48'
LB5Erik Edman
DM6Tobias LinderothYellow card 14'
RM21Christian Wilhelmsson 68'
LM9Fredrik Ljungberg
AM16Kim Källström 86'
CF10Zlatan Ibrahimović 46'
CF11Henrik Larsson
Substitutions:
FW20Marcus AllbäckYellow card 60' 46'
FW18Mattias Jonson 68'
FW17Johan Elmander 86'
Manager:
Lars Lagerbäck
GK22Aldo Bobadilla
RB2Jorge NúñezYellow card 54'
CB5Julio César Cáceres
CB4Carlos Gamarra (c)
LB21Denis CanizaYellow card 3'
RM6Carlos Bonet 81'
CM10Roberto Miguel AcuñaYellow card 51'
CM13Carlos Humberto ParedesYellow card 74'
LM16Cristian Riveros 62'
SS9Roque Santa Cruz 63'
CF18Nelson Valdez
Substitutions:
MF19Julio dos Santos 62'
FW20Dante López 63'
MF8Édgar BarretoYellow card 85' 81'
Manager:
Uruguay Aníbal Ruiz

Man of the Match:
Fredrik Ljungberg (Sweden)

Assistant referees:
Roman Slysko (Slovakia)
Martin Balko (Slovakia)
Fourth official:
Jerome Damon (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Enock Molefe (South Africa)

Paraguay 2–0 Trinidad and Tobago
Sancho  25' (o.g.)
Cuevas  86'
Report
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
GK22Aldo Bobadilla
RB21Denis Caniza 89'
CB5Julio César Cáceres 77'
CB4Carlos Gamarra (c)
LB2Jorge Núñez
DM10Roberto Miguel Acuña
RM19Julio dos SantosYellow card 54'
LM8Edgar Barreto
AM13Carlos Humberto ParedesYellow card 30'
CF9Roque Santa Cruz
CF18Nelson Valdez 66'
Substitutions:
FW23Nelson Cuevas 66'
DF15Julio Manzur 77'
DF14Paulo da Silva 89'
Manager:
Uruguay Aníbal Ruiz
GK21Kelvin Jack
RB11Carlos Edwards
CB5Brent SanchoYellow card 45'
CB6Dennis Lawrence
LB3Avery John 31'
RM7Chris Birchall
CM19Dwight Yorke (c)
CM9Aurtis WhitleyYellow card 48' 67'
LM18Densill Theobald
CF14Stern John
CF13Cornell Glen 41'
Substitutions:
DF15Kenwyne Jones 31'
MF16Evans Wise 41'
MF10Russell Latapy 67'
Manager:
Netherlands Leo Beenhakker

Man of the Match:
Julio dos Santos (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Cristiano Copelli (Italy)
Alessandro Stagnelli (Italy)
Fourth official:
Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
Fifth official:
Peter Hermans (Belgium)

2010 FIFA World Cup

In their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, Paraguay eventually reached the quarter-finals. Drawn into Group F along with defending champions Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand, they opened their tournament with a draw against the Italians, holding them 1–1 thanks to a first-half goal from Antolín Alcaraz. In their second match, they beat Slovakia 2–0 with goals from Enrique Vera and Christian Riveros. Their final group match saw a goalless draw with New Zealand, clinching first place in Group F and setting up a date with Japan. Another goalless draw with the Japanese after 120 minutes went to penalties, which Paraguay won 5–3, advancing them for the first time in their history to the World Cup round of eight. In the quarter-finals, they met powerhouses Spain, to whom they lost 1–0 in a game where a goal by Nelson Valdez was controversially called an offside by the referee. The game also featured each team being awarded a penalty, both of which were contained, first by Spain's Iker Casillas and then Paraguay's Justo Villar (both were also team captains for the game).

The Albirroja arrived back from South Africa on Monday, July 5 at 3:30 AM. Upon arrival, they were greeted by over 3,000 fans at the airport and were decorated by the President of Paraguay. Gerardo Martino announced that he would take some time to decide his future, although the Paraguayan Football Association has offered him a four-year contract to continue at the helm. Roque Santa Cruz also announced that this would be his last World Cup, but that he may play one more tournament, the Copa América in Argentina in 2011.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Paraguay 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  Slovakia 3 1 1 1 4 5 1 4
3  New Zealand 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3
4  Italy 3 0 2 1 4 5 1 2
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

All times local (UTC+02)

Italy 1–1 Paraguay
De Rossi  63' Report Alcaraz  39'
Italy[5]
Paraguay[5]
GK1Gianluigi Buffon 46'
RB19Gianluca Zambrotta
CB5Fabio Cannavaro (c)
CB4Giorgio Chiellini
LB3Domenico Criscito
CM6Daniele De Rossi
CM22Riccardo Montolivo
AM15Claudio Marchisio 59'
RW7Simone Pepe
LW9Vincenzo Iaquinta
CF11Alberto Gilardino 72'
Substitutions:
GK12Federico Marchetti 46'
MF16Mauro CamoranesiYellow card 70' 59'
FW10Antonio Di Natale 72'
Manager:
Marcello Lippi
GK1Justo Villar (c)
RB6Carlos Bonet
CB21Antolín Alcaraz
CB14Paulo da Silva
LB3Claudio Morel
DM15Víctor CáceresYellow card 62'
RM13Enrique Vera
CM16Cristian Riveros
LM17Aureliano Torres 60'
SS18Nelson Valdez 68'
CF19Lucas Barrios 76'
Substitutions:
MF11Jonathan Santana 60'
FW9Roque Santa Cruz 68'
FW7Óscar Cardozo 76'
Manager:
Gerardo Martino
Italy vs Paraguay

Man of the Match:
Antolín Alcaraz (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Héctor Vergara (Canada)[4]
Marvin Torrentera (Mexico)[4]
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)[4]
Fifth official:
Juan Zumba (El Salvador)[4]

Slovakia 0–2 Paraguay
Report Vera  27'
Riveros  86'
Slovakia[6]
Paraguay[6]
GK1Ján Mucha
RB2Peter Pekarík
CB3Martin Škrtel
CB21Kornel Saláta 83'
LB16Ján ĎuricaYellow card 42'
DM6Zdeno Štrba
CM17Marek Hamšík (c)
RW9Stanislav ŠestákYellow card 47' 70'
LW7Vladimír WeissYellow card 84'
SS8Ján Kozák
CF11Róbert Vittek
Substitutions:
FW13Filip Hološko 70'
MF15Miroslav Stoch 83'
Manager:
Vladimír Weiss
GK1Justo Villar (c)
RB6Carlos Bonet
CB14Paulo da Silva
CB21Antolín Alcaraz
LB3Claudio Morel
DM15Víctor Cáceres
CM13Enrique VeraYellow card 45' 88'
CM16Cristian Riveros
AM18Nelson Valdez 68'
SS9Roque Santa Cruz
CF19Lucas Barrios 82'
Substitutions:
DF17Aureliano Torres 68'
FW7Óscar Cardozo 82'
MF8Édgar Barreto 88'
Manager:
Gerardo Martino

Man of the Match:
Enrique Vera (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Evarist Menkouande (Cameroon)[4]
Bechir Hassani (Tunisia)[4]
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)[4]
Fifth official:
Juan Zumba (El Salvador)[4]

Paraguay 0–0 New Zealand
Report
Paraguay[7]
New Zealand[7]
GK1Justo Villar
RB4Denis Caniza (c)
CB5Julio Cáceres
CB14Paulo da Silva
LB3Claudio Morel
DM15Víctor CáceresYellow card 10'
CM16Cristian Riveros
CM13Enrique Vera
AM9Roque Santa CruzYellow card 41'
AM18Nelson Valdez 67'
CF7Óscar Cardozo 66'
Substitutions:
FW19Lucas Barrios 66'
FW10Édgar Benítez 67'
Manager:
Gerardo Martino
GK1Mark Paston
RB4Winston Reid
CB6Ryan Nelsen (c)Yellow card 56'
LB19Tommy Smith
CM7Simon Elliott
CM5Ivan Vicelich
RM11Leo Bertos
LM3Tony Lochhead
AM10Chris Killen 79'
AM9Shane Smeltz
CF14Rory Fallon 69'
Substitutions:
FW20Chris Wood 69'
MF22Jeremy Brockie 79'
Manager:
Ricki Herbert

Man of the Match:
Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Toru Sagara (Japan)[4]
Jeong Hae-sang (Korea Republic)[4]
Fourth official:
Koman Coulibaly (Mali)[4]
Fifth official:
Inacio Manuel Candido (Angola)[4]

Paraguay and Japan met at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 29 June 2010. The match was decided by a penalty shootout after the score was locked at 0–0 for 120 minutes. Paraguay won the shootout and progressed to its first ever World Cup quarter-final.[8] The match was a generally unexciting affair, as Japan adopted a defensive posture while Paraguay itself maintained a solid defence. The first half produced the occasional chance on goal with Lucas Barrios having a shot saved shortly before a long distance shot from Daisuke Matsui hit the crossbar of Paraguay's goal. The second half was similar, with either side producing occasional chances to score rather than periods of dominance. The result of the deadlock was extra time, which continued goalless. A penalty shootout ensued, in which Yūichi Komano missed a spot kick for Japan. Paraguay scored all five of its penalties, clinching the win and passage to the quarter-finals.[9] After the match, Japan head coach Takeshi Okada resigned and Shunsuke Nakamura retired from international football.[10]

Paraguay[11]
Japan[11]
GK1Justo Villar (c)
RB6Carlos Bonet
CB14Paulo da Silva
CB21Antolín Alcaraz
LB3Claudio Morel
DM20Néstor Ortigoza 75'
CM13Enrique Vera
CM16Cristian RiverosYellow card 118'
RW9Roque Santa Cruz 94'
LW10Édgar Benítez 60'
CF19Lucas Barrios
Substitutions:
FW18Nelson Valdez 60'
MF8Édgar Barreto 75'
FW7Óscar Cardozo 94'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino
GK21Eiji Kawashima
RB3Yūichi Komano
CB22Yuji Nakazawa
CB4Marcus Tulio Tanaka
LB5Yuto NagatomoYellow card 72'
DM2Yuki Abe 81'
CM17Makoto Hasebe (c)
CM7Yasuhito EndōYellow card 113'
RW8Daisuke MatsuiYellow card 58' 65'
LW16Yoshito Ōkubo 106'
CF18Keisuke HondaYellow card 90+3'
Substitutions:
FW9Shinji Okazaki 65'
MF14Kengo Nakamura 81'
FW11Keiji Tamada 106'
Manager:
Takeshi Okada

Man of the Match:
Keisuke Honda (Japan)

Assistant referees:
Peter Hermans (Belgium)
Walter Vromans (Belgium)
Fourth official:
Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Matthew Taro (Solomon Islands)

On 3 July 2010, Spain defeated Paraguay 1–0 to secure entry to the semi-finals where they would meet Germany. It was the first time that Spain had progressed to the semi-final of a World Cup since 1950; while for the defeated Paraguay, the quarter-final appearance was also the country's best ever performance.[12]

The first half of the match finished goalless, although both sides had chances to score and Paraguay's Nelson Valdez had a goal ruled out as offside. The match suddenly became eventful in the second half due to a string of penalty kicks. First, Óscar Cardozo was pulled down by Gerard Piqué in Spain's penalty area and Paraguay was awarded a penalty. Cardozo took the penalty himself but it was saved by Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Spain soon after launched an attack at the other end of the field, in which David Villa was ruled by the referee to have been brought down by Antolín Alcaraz. Xabi Alonso stepped up to take the penalty kick and seemed to have scored, only for the referee to order it be retaken because of encroachment by a Spanish player into the penalty area before the kick was taken. Xabi Alonso's retake was saved by Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar. As a result, the score remained 0–0 after the three penalty kicks. Spain, however, ultimately managed to take the lead in the 82nd minute: David Villa collected a rebounded shot off the post from Pedro, to score himself off the post. The goal turned out to be the winner for Spain.[12] After the match, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque conceded that his side were not playing at their best and were starved of possession. He also noted his view that Spain's next opponents Germany were the best team at the World Cup.[13] Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino stated he would be leaving his position at the end of his contract.[14]

Paraguay 0–1 Spain
Report Villa  83'
Paraguay[15]
Spain[15]
GK1Justo Villar (c)
RB2Darío Verón
CB14Paulo da Silva
CB21Antolín AlcarazYellow card 59'
LB3Claudio MorelYellow card 71'
DM15Víctor CáceresYellow card 59' 84'
RM11Jonathan SantanaYellow card 88'
CM8Édgar Barreto 64'
LM16Cristian Riveros
SS18Nelson Valdez 72'
CF7Óscar Cardozo
Substitutions:
MF13Enrique Vera 64'
FW9Roque Santa Cruz 72'
FW19Lucas Barrios 84'
Manager:
Argentina Gerardo Martino
GK1Iker Casillas (c)
RB15Sergio Ramos
CB3Gerard PiquéYellow card 57'
CB5Carles Puyol 84'
LB11Joan Capdevila
DM16Sergio BusquetsYellow card 63'
RM6Andrés Iniesta
CM8Xavi
LM14Xabi Alonso 75'
SS7David Villa
CF9Fernando Torres 56'
Substitutions:
MF10Cesc Fàbregas 56'
FW18Pedro 75'
DF4Carlos Marchena 84'
Manager:
Vicente del Bosque

Man of the Match:
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)

Assistant referees:
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)
Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)
Fourth official:
Benito Archundia (Mexico)
Fifth official:
Héctor Vergara (Canada)

Record players

No. Name Matches World Cups
1 Denis Caniza121998, 2002, 2006 and 2010
Roque Santa Cruz122002, 2006 and 2010
3 Roberto Acuña111998, 2002 and 2006
Carlos Gamarra111998, 2002 and 2006
5Carlos Paredes91998, 2002 and 2006
6 Celso Ayala81998 and 2002
Julio César Cáceres82002, 2006 and 2010
Nelson Valdez82006 and 2010
9 Francisco Arce71998 and 2002
Jorge Campos71998 and 2002
José Luis Chilavert71998 and 2002
Cristian Riveros72006 and 2010

World Cup goal scorers

World Cup Name Goals
2002, 2006 Nelson Cuevas 3
1986 Roberto Cabañas 2
1986 Julio César Romero 2
1958 Florencio Amarilla 2
1958 Jorge Lino Romero 2
1958 José Parodi 2
1958 Juan Bautista Agüero 2
2010 Cristian Riveros 1
2010 Enrique Vera 1
2010 Antolín Alcaraz 1
2002 Jorge Luis Campos 1
2002 Francisco Arce 1
2002 Roque Santa Cruz 1
1998 José Cardozo 1
1998 Miguel Ángel Benítez 1
1998 Celso Ayala 1
1958 Cayetano Ré 1
1950 César López Fretes 1
1950 Atilio López 1
1930 Luis Vargas Peña 1

References

  1. FIFA initially credited the goal in the 15th minute to Tom Florie, but changed it to Patenaude in 2006. During previous years, it was also listed as an own goal by Aurelio González (RSSSF).
  2. This is one of several goals for which the statistical details are disputed. The goalscorers and timings used here are those of FIFA, the official record. Some other sources, such as RSSSF, state a different scorer, timing, or both. See "World Cup 1930 finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  3. (in Spanish) "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2004-08-18. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Match Appointments" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group F – Italy-Paraguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group F – Slovakia-Paraguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 20 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group F – Paraguay-New Zealand" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  8. Lynch, Michael (30 June 2010). "Justice done for Paraguay as Japan pay the penalty". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  9. Fletcher, Paul (29 June 2010). "Paraguay 0–0 Japan (5–3 pens)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  10. "Okada stands down as Japan coach". Sport.co.uk. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Last 16 – Paraguay-Japan" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 29 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  12. 1 2 Fletcher, Paul (3 July 2010). "Paraguay 0–1 Spain". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  13. "Spain must improve, admits coach". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  14. Razwan Mirza (5 July 2010). "Martino quits Paraguay". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  15. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Quarterfinal – Paraguay-Spain" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
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