Alderete Powers Albirroja to Stunning Win Against Chile

Omar Alderete’s second goal for the senior international team has propelled Paraguay into third place in the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) standings, following their victory over Chile at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Chile, facing the peril of missing their third consecutive World Cup finals, managed to withstand an early onslaught with a solid defensive performance during the initial fifteen minutes in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.

This early dose of confidence enabled La Roja to create two significant chances in front of goal.

Unfortunately for them, Lucas Cepeda and Alexander Aravena were unable to find the net, as their attempts strayed off target.

The game’s first goal would have been scored in the 28th minute if not for Roberto Fernandez’s impressive reflex save at his near post, thwarting Cepeda’s shot from finding its way into the corner.

Despite a lively start, Paraguay could only muster one shot on target in the opening half, with Junior Alonso’s header being expertly saved by Brayan Cortes.

The hosts didn’t have to wait long after the break to threaten again, with Cortés making a superb save to deny Ramon Sosa.

The momentum soon shifted, and Paraguay broke the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Antonio Sanabria’s powerful header from the penalty spot set up Alderete to hammer the ball home from the back post, sending it straight into the net.

Julio Enciso had the chance to double Paraguay’s lead later in the match but missed the target from inside the area, striking the wrong side of the post.

This victory at home keeps Gustavo Alfaro’s improving team unbeaten in their last seven matches (W4, D3) and maintains a comfortable seven-point lead in the automatic qualification spots.

Conversely, Chile remains second from the bottom in the standings, now only above Peru, still hunting for their first away victory in this qualification cycle (D1, L6).