Nearly three decades have passed since Paraguay came close to etching its name in the annals of 21st-century soccer history.
As they took to the field on home soil, still seeking their inaugural FIFA World Cup victory, France found themselves frustrated by Paraguay’s trademark defensive resilience. With an air of desperation yet composed, Paraguay was pushed back, fending off relentless French assaults while trying to initiate occasional counterattacks.
This defensive tenacity resonates with a nation proud of its warrior spirit.
Just six minutes away from a penalty shootout—where the charismatic goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert could have tipped the scales in their favor—Paraguay’s hopes were shattered when Laurent Blanc netted the first golden goal in World Cup history, propelling France forward.
A few weeks later, France became world champions, gaining the confidence that has fueled their rise in global soccer.
Now, they may very well be the world’s leading football talent factory and, alongside Argentina, claim to be the most prominent national team in recent times. On a scorching Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, Paraguay aims to disrupt them once again.
The current iteration of France appears more formidable than their 1998 squad, which was hindered by Zinedine Zidane’s suspension and the uncertainty in the center forward position. With former midfielder and now coach Didier Deschamps at the helm, the French side boasts an impressive arsenal of attacking players.
Paraguay, however, remains steadfast. Though they may be outmatched, they refuse to be outdone. Following their dramatic and historic win over Germany, the team is riding a wave of euphoria. Coach Gustavo Alfaro had set the tone before that game.
“We are here to compete, not merely to seek results,” he expressed. “This group has faced numerous challenges, demonstrating that success in football isn’t dictated by the financial strength of a nation. Our people rise from adversity, and we intend to reflect that spirit on the pitch.”
Paraguay’s only major setback occurred during their opening game against the United States, who claimed victory. The US team’s coordinated movement presented challenges to all adversaries, but from Paraguay’s perspective, the most painful aspect of the 4-1 defeat lay in the defenders’ lack of individual responses.
Typically, Paraguay’s backline is akin to steadfast nightclub bouncers, rigorously preventing unwanted incursions into the penalty area. However, against the Americans, this “bouncer” mentality faltered, allowing the attackers to capitalize.
Right back Juan Cáceres, who excelled marking Vinícius Júnior in a memorable World Cup qualifying match against Brazil, struggled against Christian Pulisic. Center back Omar Alderete, previously impressive with Sunderland, had a forgettable outing. Captain Gustavo Gómez and left back Júnior Alonso looked more aged than their 33 years would suggest.
Determined not to repeat their earlier mistakes, Alfaro, a talented coach, made tactical adjustments at halftime, leading to a modestly improved performance in the second half. Yet, there were no positives to be found in a match where their inability to compete left their supporters feeling unrepresented.
In the next match against Türkiye, they reverted to their fundamental values. With pride at stake, the defenders were highly motivated. After an early lead, they resolutely prevented Türkiye from scoring, even after losing Miguel Almirón to a red card just before halftime.
Displaying remarkable stubbornness, they successfully held off the Turks. Following a goalless draw with Australia, they prepared to replicate this defensive success against Germany.
While Alfaro hails from Argentina, his deep understanding of Paraguayan mentality has made him a national favorite. He assumed the coaching role two years ago, in the wake of a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign and a poor showing in the Copa América.
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With their first World Cup appearance since 2010 seeming far-fetched, he managed to steer the team back, reminding them of their childhood dreams: to play soccer, compete in the top tier, don the Paraguay jersey, and, most importantly, experience the World Cup, asking them to channel their inner child on the field.
Though Paraguay may not win accolades for aesthetic play, there is a unique passion and almost spiritual essence in their defensive commitment.
This is evident in central midfielder Andrés Cubas, whose relentless ball-winning skills shine through. The same can be said for left-footed midfielder Matías Galarza, who not only scored against Türkiye but also assisted the goal against Germany while exhibiting significant defensive prowess.
However, the pressing question remains: will this defensive grit be enough to counter the French? Alfaro will seek to instill an aggressive defensive approach while aiming to create difficult moments for the French side.
Concerns arise regarding Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso, who exited early against Germany due to injury. Enciso, who scored in that match, is a standout player, known for clever and elusive runs with the ball.
He experienced muscular issues before the tournament, which might have resurfaced.
The team is also eager to utilize Ramón Sosa, the former Nottingham Forest winger, who has yet to see action. They also welcome back Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Diego Gómez, whose range-shooting capability may prove beneficial.
Alfaro has already experimented with four different center forwards and remains unconvinced by their performances. Before the Germany match, he asserted that Gabriel Ávalos was to play due to his height advantages for set pieces. However, he looks rather limited compared to Kylian Mbappé and his remarkable teammates.
As the match approaches, expectations for Paraguay to knock out another European powerhouse seem slim.
Nevertheless, sending Germany packing is a remarkable accomplishment that should instill pride in the Paraguayan people for how they have represented themselves on the world stage.