Paraguay Hub
Paraguay had achieved a spectacular qualification to the round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup. Nelson 'Pipino' Cuevas was the main architect of that feat against Slovenia in the group stage.
What happened in the match against Germany?
Italian coach Césare Maldini decided to leave Cuevas on the bench, despite his great performance in the previous match. The decision left the press and the Paraguayan fans stunned.
The match was a tactical battle with teeth clenched. Paraguay was holding on to the zero with their heart in their hand, waiting for the moment to strike. But the miracle did not come. In the 88th minute, Oliver Neuville broke the tie and scored the 1-0 for the Germans.
Why is it important for Paraguay?
Maldini's decision to leave Cuevas on the bench is remembered as one of the most controversial moments in the history of the Paraguayan national team. The question of what would have happened if Cuevas had played from the start remains a topic of debate among Paraguayan fans.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-06-15 | Paraguay vs Germany | 0-1 |
Paraguay moves forward, with a recent record of 2W-0D-3L in their last 5 matches. Their last win was against Mexico on 2025-11-19, with a result of 1-2.
What's next?
Paraguay is preparing to face new challenges in the 2026 World Cup. With a renewed team and the experience of previous matches, Paraguayan fans hope that their team can advance beyond the round of 16.
