Paraguay women's national football team

Paraguay women's national football team
The Paraguay women's national football team represents Paraguay in international women's football and is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association (Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol). La Albirroja has never reached the World Cup finals, but has finished fourth in both the 2006 Sudamericano Femenino and the 2022 Copa América Femenina, the only times they were not eliminated in the Group stage. Most of Paraguay's matches are in Competitions rather than friendlies, although that has slowly changed in recent times.
History
1998 South American Women's Football Championship
After not entering the 1991 and 1995 Copa America Femenina, Paraguay made their international debut against Uruguay at the 1998 South American Women's Football Championship. Their first official match ended in the best way, defeating the Uruguayans 3–2 in Mar del Plata in Argentina. However, losses to Argentina and Ecuador by the score 3–0 eliminated them from the competition. They capped off their first appearance at the championship with a 3–2 win over Bolivia.
2003 South American Women's Football Championship
Heading into their second championship, the groups were regionalised, so they were drawn into a group containing Argentina and Uruguay, where games would take place at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta. With only the group winners advancing, a 3–0 loss to Argentina effectively ended their chances of progression. A 3–1 win against Uruguay, meant they finished second.
2006 South American Women's Football Championship
For the third time, the Paraguayans arrived in Argentina for the tournament. After the format was reverted back to the same one used in 1998, two groups of five. This championship was their most successful championship in their history, overcoming, Bolivia 5–1, Venezuela 3–1 and Peru 2–1 to historically advance to the second round behind Brazil. With the top two in the second round qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, this was the closest Paraguay had become to making a major tournament. They started their second round campaign with a tense and respectible 0–0 draw against the hosts Argentina. Although, they would get thumped by Brazil 6–0 in their next game, with Cristiane scoring four goals for the Brazilians. Despite the heavy loss, Paraguay knew a win over Uruguay in the last match could give them hope of an unlikely dream world cup debut. But after holding the lead twice against Uruguay, the Uruguayans came back to lead and eventually win 3–2, meaning Paraguay were overtaken by Uruguay to finish fourth. This would remain their best tournament result until 2022. They also won the fair play award.
2007 Pan American Games
Their fourth place finish in 2006 meant Las Guaraníes qualified for the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, their first tournament that the team had ever qualified for. However, in a group containing the United States U20 team, Mexico, Argentina and Panama, they struggled to stay competitive, losing all three of their four games, with the
exception being a 1–1 draw with the Panamanians, where Francisca Agüero scored a stoppage time equaliser. In spite of the point, Paraguay still came of their group at their debut Pan Americans Games.
2010 South American Women's Football Championship
2010 (held in Ecuador) saw Paraguay grouped with Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Uruguay. In the end, they had a decent tournament, garnering two wins out of four. However, they failed to recreate their 2006 performance and crashed out in the first round, finishing third in group B below Brazil and Colombia. Also, due to this result, they failed to make the 2011 Pan American Games.
2014 Copa América Femenina
Hosted by Ecuador again, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia were Paraguay's challengers in 2014. Las Guaraníes actually had a pretty unlucky tournament. After taking a shock lead against the Brazilians, they lost 4–1 in their opening match. That was followed by another defeat, this time from Argentina, by the score 1–0. But, surprisingly, a 10–2 win over Bolivia and a 3–2 comeback win over Chile had put Paraguay into a position where all they needed was for underdogs Argentina to lose to Brazil and their passage to the second round was secured on a three way tie. However, disappointingly, Argentina triumphed 2–0 over Brazil and would advance instead, ending Paraguay's hopes of making the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
2018 Copa América Femenina
Paraguay decided to put a bid in the 2018 edition, but would lost the bidding process to Chile. There was also more optimism due to numerous Paraguay youth teams making U20 and U17 Women's World Cups between 2014 and 2018. Aiming for their first major tournament, Paraguay were third seeds and were drawn into group A where they were pitted against Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and Peru. In this evenly match group, La Albirroja played hosts Chile and gained a hard-fought point after a 1–1 draw. Paraguay took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Gloria Villamayor. But nine minutes later, the Chileans equalised to end the game all square. Their second game involving the Peruvians gave Paraguay their first win of the tournament, winning 3–0. They were frustrated by Peru for 70 minutes, but scored three goals in the last 20 to secure the win. Next, Las Guaraníes played Colombia, where a hat trick by Catalina Usme saw Paraguay be dealt a damaging 5–1 loss. That would prove costly since their main rivals in the group, Chile, had drawn against the Colombians earlier in the tournament to give them an edge over the Parguayans. After missing the previous matchday, Paraguay overcame a 1 goal deficit to defeat Uruguay 2–1, with a ninety second minute goal through a volley by Amada Peralta. However, their slight hopes of progression were squashed as Chile beat Peru 5–0 to advance over the Paraguayans. Despite the disappointment, their performance was enough to secure a spot in the 2019 Pan American Games. Their second appearance at the event.
2019 Pan American Games
In their second ever appearance at the Pan American Games, Paraguay had a much more successful tournament. After topping their group with seven points after wins over Mexico and Jamaica, plus a draw with Colombia, their semi final match against Argentina couldn't have gone worst. They conceded three goals in the first half to comfortably lose 3–0 against Argentina. In the bronze medal match, where they played Costa Rica, a late goal by Daniela Cruz for the Costa Rican meant the Paraguayans would go home without a medal.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Legend
2022
2023
Paraguay Results and Fixtures – Soccerway.com
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Manager history
Eduardo Poletti (2003)
Esteban von Lucken (2006)
Agustín Cabrera (2006)
Nelson Basualdo (2010)
Julio Gómez (2014)
Rubén Subeldía (2018)
Epifania Benítez (2019–2021)
Marcello Frigério (2021–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the Pan American Games on 23 September 2023.
Caps noted are current as of 8 April 2021, after match against Japan, per above sources.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up to a Paraguay squad in the past 12 months.
Records
Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.
Most capped players
Top goalscorers
Competitive record
FIFA Women's World Cup
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Olympic Games
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Pan American Games
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
See also
Sport in Paraguay
Football in Paraguay
Women's football in Paraguay
Paraguay women's national under-20 football team
Paraguay women's national under-17 football team
Paraguay men's national football team
References
External links
Official website
FIFA profile
South American women's national association football teams
National