In its long-awaited return after a 16-year hiatus, the Paraguayan national team is preparing for its first World Cup clash. The clash takes place this Friday, at 10pm (Brasília time), against the United States, one of the tournament’s host countries, in the city of Los Angeles. The South American team enters the field with the mission of reversing a long and unfavorable record in opening matches of the World Cup.
Paraguay seeks to overcome the lack of victories in the first round of the World Cup
The Paraguayan team has a challenging record, with just one victory in eight previous appearances in the tournament. That only triumph came four decades ago, in the 1986 Mexico Cup, when they beat Iraq 1-0 in their debut. In that edition, the team advanced as second in a group that also included the hosts and Belgium, but their journey ended in the round of 16 against England.
Other attempts to start the championship on the right foot resulted in four draws and three setbacks. Among the defeats, one stands out because it was precisely against the United States, with a score of 3-0, in the opening match of the first World Cup, in 1930. Other stumbles in debuts include a 7-3 against France in 1958, and a 1-0 against England in the 2006 World Cup. In these three competitions, the Paraguayan team failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Stage of the inaugural clash between the United States and Paraguay in the World Cup
The debut games that ended in equality took place in 1950, with a 2-2 against Sweden; in 1998, a 0-0 against Bulgaria; in 2002, another 2-2 against South Africa; and, finally, a 1-1 with Italy in the 2010 edition.
Complete history of Paraguay’s World Cup debuts
- 1930: United States 3×0 Paraguay
- 1950: Sweden 2×2 Paraguay
- 1958: France 7×3 Paraguay
- 1986: Paraguay 1×0 Iraq
- 1998: Paraguay 0x0 Bulgaria
- 2002: Paraguay 2×2 South Africa
- 2006: England 1×0 Paraguay
- 2010: Italy 1×1 Paraguay
