Paraguay finds keys in Argentine football to beat Germany

Paraguay's national team has found keys in Argentine football to eliminate Germany in the 2026 World Cup. Of the 26 Albirroja list players, 15 played or currently play in the Professional League. Known names, familiar faces. It's no surprise that two of the top scorers in the country last semester speak Guarani.

What happened?

The story of an Albirroja that found in Argentine football the keys to eliminate Germany and keep dreaming in the World Cup. The penalties stopped by Orlando Gill and the goal of José María Canale could have happened in a San Lorenzo-Lanús on a cold Saturday afternoon in the Nuevo Gasómetro. But they were in the 2026 World Cup.

Why it matters for Paraguay?

See also the striking difference in value between Paraguay and France, rivals in the World Cup's quarterfinals. Of the 26 Albirroja list players, 15 played or currently play in the Professional League. Known names, familiar faces. It's no surprise that two of the top scorers in the country last semester speak Guarani.

What comes next?

The list of players who competed in Argentina seems endless. Roberto Fernández, Gill's substitute, stopped in Racing and Estudiantes; the starting defenders Junior Alonso and Gustavo Gómez passed through Boca and Lanús, the same club opened the doors to Juan José Cáceres after nationalizing as Paraguayan and defending the jerseys of Dock Sud and Racing. Today on the bench, but always ready to jump onto the field with the knife between their teeth, Gustavo Velázquez registers a cycle by Newell’s, while Omar Alderete knows what it's like to play in Gimnasia and Huracán and Braian Ojeda, who settled in from a young age in Defensa.

Paraguay's last World Cup performance was on July 4, 2026, when they lost 0-1 to France. Their recent streak is 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the last 5 games (LDDWL, most recent first).

Paraguay's national team has found inspiration in Argentine football to keep advancing in the 2026 World Cup. 15 players from the Albirroja list play or have played in the Professional League. Known names, familiar faces. It's no surprise that two of the top scorers in the country last semester speak Guarani.