Paraguay dominate Nicaragua in 4–0 victory ahead of 2026 World Cup

Paraguay wrap up the match with a flawless performance, controlling every phase and finishing with a convincing 4–0 victory over Nicaragua. The hosts kept the intensity high, dictated the tempo, and never allowed the visitors to escape their own half in the closing minutes. A confident, complete display as Paraguay continue their buildup toward the 2026 World Cup.

With the final minutes approaching, Nicaragua still can’t break out of their own half. Paraguay keep the ball, manage the tempo, and close out a dominant performance without giving the visitors any breathing room.

The tempo drops gradually in a match fully shaped by an excellent Paraguayan performance. With the result essentially settled, the hosts manage the rhythm comfortably while Nicaragua sit back and wait for the final whistle.

Nicaragua drop deep and concentrate on defending, trying to avoid conceding a fifth goal as Paraguay keep pressing with confidence and rhythm.

Nicaragua make a change as Amadeus Zamora comes on for Jason Coronel. Fresh legs to try to contain Paraguay’s relentless pressure in the closing minutes.

Paraguay stay on the front foot and earn another corner as they keep piling on the pressure. The hosts continue to dominate the attacking third with ease.

The game comes to a halt as someone in the crowd requires immediate attention. Medical staff rush to the area while players from both teams step aside and wait for the situation to stabilize.

Paraguay refuse to slow down, dictating the pace with total authority and moving the ball wherever they want. Nicaragua struggle to get out as the hosts continue to dominate every phase of the game.

Alexandro Maidana appears at the far post and finishes with power to push Paraguay’s lead even further. Total dominance now as the hosts go 4–0 up in Asunción.

Nicaragua make two changes to refresh their lineup:

• Efraín Mejía replaces Jonathan Moncada

• Leyner Moses replaces Anyelo Velásquez

Matías Galarza appears at the perfect moment inside the box and finishes with precision to stretch Paraguay’s lead to 3–0. A clean strike and a well‑deserved reward for the team’s dominance.

Martínez climbs above everyone with authority and heads away a threatening cross from the hosts, cutting out the danger before it reaches the box. Solid defensive timing from the Nicaraguan center‑back.

Montes cleanly wins the ball in what looks like a fair challenge, but the referee sees it differently — whistles for a foul and shows the yellow card. The Paraguayan bench protests the decision as play resumes.

Ramón Sosa applies intense pressure near the box, but he overdoes it and the referee whistles for a foul as Nicaragua try to play out.

Raheem Cole mistimes his challenge and comes in late, giving away a dangerous foul as Paraguay continue to control the tempo.

Despite the full squad rotation at halftime, the Paraguayans continue to dominate the match, keeping possession high and pushing forward in search of a third goal. Nicaragua remain pinned back with little room to breathe.

Mauricio goes for goal with a low shot toward the near post, but it drifts wide before reaching the target. Paraguay stay on the front foot, keeping Nicaragua pinned back.

Paraguay make a full set of substitutions to start the second half, refreshing every line of the team:

• Alexandro Maidana replaces Junior Alonso

• Alex Arce replaces Antonio Sanabria

• Matías Galarza Fonda replaces Alejandro Romero

• Ramón Sosa replaces Diego Gómez

• Braian Ojeda replaces Andrés Cubas

• José Canale replaces Omar Alderete

• Gustavo Velázquez replaces Juan Cáceres

• Fabián Balbuena replaces Gustavo Gómez

• Gabriel Ávalos replaces Miguel Almirón

Nicaragua make a change early in the second half: Aaron Smith comes on to replace Jorge García. Fresh legs up front as the visitors look to spark a reaction and find a way back into the match.

The referee gets the match back underway in Asunción. Paraguay start the second half with confidence, keeping possession and looking to extend their lead, while Nicaragua aim to regroup and find a way back into the game.

• 59% possession for Paraguay vs 41% for Nicaragua

• 14 total shots for Paraguay, 0 for Nicaragua

• 8 shots on target for Paraguay, 0 for Nicaragua

The Albirroja dominate every metric, keeping the ball and pressing high while Nicaragua sit deep and fail to create danger.

The first half comes to an end in Asunción. Paraguay head to the locker room with a solid 2–0 lead after a composed performance, highlighted by Kaku’s penalty and Almirón’s clinical finish. Nicaragua sit deep and struggle to create danger, while the Paraguayans control the rhythm with confidence.

Nicaragua make another change as Montes leaves the field and Salinas comes on, looking to add fresh energy in the final stretch of the match.

The fourth official signals three minutes of stoppage time to close out the first half. Paraguay stay in control as Nicaragua sit deep and try to reach the break without further damage.

Gustavo Gómez drives forward with a fantastic run, breaking Nicaragua’s lines, and lays it off for Miguel Almirón, who calmly slots it home to extend Paraguay’s lead.

Paraguay stitch together a brilliant sequence: Alderete wins the ball cleanly, Kaku delivers a perfect cross, and at the far post Gustavo Gómez forces a sharp reaction save. The Nicaraguan goalkeeper stands out once again with another big stop.

Nicaragua attempt to build an attack downfield, but they remain ineffective in the final third and can’t generate real danger against Paraguay’s back line.

Paraguay keep full control of the match, circulating the ball comfortably and setting up camp in Nicaragua’s half. The visitors sit very deep, unable to push out or string passes together.

Nicaragua try to play out from the back, but their buildup breaks down in midfield and Paraguay recover the ball in a dangerous zone.

Almirón’s free‑kick takes a slight deflection on its way through and ends up going out for a Paraguay corner.

Enciso can’t continue after that earlier knock, and Mauricio Magalhães (#11) comes on to replace him. Fresh legs for the Albirroja’s back line.

Enciso appears to be in some discomfort, pointing to his right leg after a tough play. Coach Alfaro immediately sends substitutes to warm up as a precaution.

Alderete gives Paraguay a brief scare after a heavy challenge, but the defender is able to continue without problems.

Kaku buries the penalty with confidence, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and putting Paraguay 1–0 up in Asunción.

Joab Gutierrez goes into the referee’s book after a late challenge on the flank. The Nicaraguan defender becomes the first player cautioned in the match.

Paraguay win a penalty after a decisive attacking move inside the box. Huge chance for the Albirroja to break the deadlock in Asunción.

Nicaragua push forward using long balls that are working for them so far, helping them win territory and settle higher up the pitch.

The dog has been removed from the field, and the match is back underway in Asunción.

The match is momentarily halted after a dog wandered onto the field and even laid down on the grass before being escorted out. A light, unexpected pause in Asunción.

Alderete is controlling Paraguay’s buildup from deep, and his connection with Cubas and Romero has been spotless so far. The home side look comfortable progressing through that triangle.

Paraguay create their first dangerous moment of the match. Enciso delivered a quality cross, but no one was there to finish it at the far post.

The match continues at a slow, training‑session pace in these early minutes as both teams settle into the game.

Diego Gómez shows too much urgency as he presses forward and ends up committing an attacking foul.

The international friendly between Paraguay and Nicaragua is underway in Asunción.

Both teams are lined up for the pre‑match protocol at Defensores del Chaco. The atmosphere is building as Paraguay and Nicaragua prepare for kickoff.

The match between Paraguay and Nicaragua has been officially delayed by 30 minutes. Kickoff is now scheduled for 3:45 PM ET at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay

Nicaragua’s starting XI: Adonis Pineda; Joab Gutiérrez, Justing Cano, Ebert Martínez, Anyelo Velásquez; Jefferson Rivera, Jason Coronel (C), Jacob Montes, Jonathan Moncada; Raheem Cole, Jorge García.

Paraguay’s starting XI: Roberto Fernández; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez (C), Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso; Andrés Cubas, Alejandro R. Gamarra, Diego Gómez; Julio Enciso, Miguel Almirón, Antonio Sanabria.

Players from both sides are out on the pitch at Defensores del Chaco, going through their warm‑up routines as we get closer to kickoff.

Paraguay and Nicaragua have faced each other once in their history, with Paraguay winning 2–0 in a friendly played on June 18, 2023. That match saw goals from Miguel Almirón and Fabián Balbuena, giving Paraguay the edge in the head‑to‑head record.

Record:

• Paraguay — 1 Win

• Draws — 0

• Nicaragua — 0 Wins

Today’s action takes place at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, a historic stadium with a capacity of 42,354 spectators. It provides a classic Paraguayan setting as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The match will be officiated by an international crew led by a U.S. referee, appointed to oversee this friendly in Asunción.

Full officiating team:

• Referee: Armando Villarreal (USA)

• Assistant Referees: Nicholas Uranga (USA), Cory Richardson (USA)

• Fourth Official: Rubiel Vásquez (USA)

The match between Paraguay and Nicaragua is scheduled to start at 3:15 PM ET at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay. In the United States, the international friendly will be streamed live on DAZN US.

Welcome to our live blog! This time, Paraguay host Nicaragua in an international friendly as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates of this matchup at Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay.