Best moments of Paraguay in the World Cups

March 27th, 2006 | by: Daniel | View Comments

The comment of Euler made me think which where the best World Cup moments of Paraguay. Considering that out team wasn’t in many Worldcups I found these moments the most memorable for Paraguayans fans.

Unforgettable Moment # 5
June 12, 2002, Seogwipo Korea. After the Slovenian goal, the Korea/Japan World Cup seems over, but Maldini (coach) heard the shout of every Paraguayan fan and at 61 min let Nelson Cuevas enter the field. Only with 4 minutes in the game, Cuevitas with a powerful kick scored the first goal. Then Jorge Campos (Campitos) fallowed with the second and finally Cuevitas again with the last goal. These last 35 minutes of football, primarily because of the situation (Paraguay was being eliminated) were the most offensive play that Paraguay presented in that World Cup.

Unforgettable Moment # 4
June, 28 1998, Lens. Although in this match Paraguay was defeat by France in the last minute of the overtime, I think that every fan will remember forever the effort of our team. Every player gave all that they had to win that game against the home team. I still think that if we went to the penalty kicks we would win.

Unforgettable Moment # 3
June, 24 1998, Toulouse, Municipal Stadium. After played very defensively against Spain and Bulgaria, Paraguay needed a victory to make to the next round. The rival, Nigeria, who were already qualified to the next round after two victories against the European teams. In the first play of the match, Celso Ayala headed a perfect pass scoring the fastest goal of the World Cup (1 min). Then came two goals, one from Miguel Angel Benitez (’54) and Jose “Pepe” Cardozo (’86). Paraguay eliminated Spain in that round.

Unforgettable Moment # 2
June, 11 1986, Toluca Stadium. Paraguay tied with the powerful Belgium team (Mexico ‘86 semifinalists). Roberto Cabañas scored two splendid goals. In this match Paraguay proved that when that team wanted to play offensive they had all the tools to make damages to the rivals.

Unforgettable Moment # 1
June 7, 1986, the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City was full. Paraguay played against the local team, Mexico. Mexico had scored the first goal at the beginning of the first half. In this game there were really two unforgettable moments. The first was when “El Gato” Fernandez stopped the penalty kick of Hugo Sanchez, keeping the hopes of the Paraguayan team alive. Then, six minutes before the match was done, Julio Cesar Romero (Romerito) headed the ball between two Mexican defenders, scoring an excellent goal that helped to obtain an important point to advance to the next round.