PARAGUAY STUNS CHILE WITH 1-0 VICTORY IN QUALIFIERS
Omar Alderete’s goal strengthens Paraguay’s World Cup hopes as Chile struggles in the standings.
In a highly anticipated encounter of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Paraguay secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Chile on March 20, 2025. Held at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción, the match saw both teams vying for vital points as they push for World Cup qualification.
Paraguay, now under the stewardship of coach Gustavo Alfaro, has showcased significant improvement since his arrival. The “guaraníes” dominated the possession throughout the match and looked far more organized than their opponents. This victory places Paraguay in a solid position in the standings, temporarily settling them in third place with 20 points. In stark contrast, Chile finds itself in dire circumstances, positioned near the bottom of the table with only nine points.
Omar Alderete's decisive goal came early in the second half, at the 59th minute, when the player capitalized on a loose ball inside the box. Alderete struck with precision, leaving Chilean goalkeeper Brayan Cortés with little chance to respond. The goal followed an intense period for Paraguay, which had exerted pressure with several attempts prior to finding the net.
The match began at 18:00 hours, with the teams battling to establish dominance. Despite some flashes of attacking prowess, Chile struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the first half. They ended the opening period at a frustrating stalemate, having failed to capitalize on several promising opportunities.
Chile’s coach, Ricardo Gareca, had seen his side come off a recent friendly win over Panama but faced increasing scrutiny due to a string of disappointing results in the qualifying rounds. Over the course of eight games, Chile achieved only two victories, alongside three draws and a debilitating six defeats, raising questions about the team's future.
Adding to their woes, Alexis Sánchez was absent from the match due to injury, and his absence was felt as Chile's attack struggled to penetrate Paraguay's defense. The experienced Vidal, Vargas, and Aránguiz were also called upon to lead the team, but they failed to inspire a resurgence.
As the match wore on, Paraguay maintained control, with Alderete’s goal spurring them to attack with renewed vigor. They came close to extending their lead on several occasions but were thwarted by the Chilean defense and goalkeeper.
In the second half, Chile attempted to rally but lacked the creativity and urgency needed to break down the sturdy Paraguayan line. A notable moment near the end saw Darío Osorio attempt a long-range effort that was saved successfully, ending any hope of salvaging at least a point for his team.
The final whistle blew at 19:58, marking a significant step for Paraguay towards automatic qualification for the World Cup, while leaving Chile to ponder their grim situation heading into their next match against Ecuador.
The historical rivalry between these two nations adds an extra layer of intrigue; they have met 68 times, with each securing 29 wins and eight draws in total. However, in the qualifiers, the results have tilted more favorably for Paraguay, who edged Chile with 10 wins compared to Chile's nine.
As both sides prepare for the next round of matches, Paraguay will visit Colombia, looking to solidify their position among the top teams. Meanwhile, Chile, facing a critical crossroads in their campaign, must reclaim their form to stay in the race for World Cup qualification.
