Paraguay vs Nicaragua LIVE: Kaku breaks the deadlock! International friendly before 2026 World Cup (1-0)

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.

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.