World Cup Qualifying - South America | Group Stage

Mar 26, 2025 at 12am UK

Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez

Colombia vs Paraguay

Match preview

After a promising start to their qualifying campaign, Colombia's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in recent months as they seek a first finals appearance since 2018.

Nestor Lorenzo's men have lost their last three qualifiers after picking up at least a point in their first eight games of the campaign.

They currently occupy the final automatic qualifying spot in CONMEBOL, with Bolivia six points adrift and five games in hand.

Los Cafeteros have lost five points this qualifying cycle when they have scored first, but have also picked up four points when they have conceded their opening goal.

So far in qualifying, 13 of their 19 points have come at home, the last of which came in a 4-0 win over Chile at the Estadio Metropolitano on Matchday 10.

The 2024 Copa America runners-up are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Paraguay in all competitions, with La Sele beating them 2-1 in the group stage of that tournament.

While Colombia's campaign has slowed down, Paraguay's has picked up, with the team unbeaten in seven consecutive qualifiers.

A change of manager after they crashed out of last year's Copa America at the group stage appears to have turned their fortunes around, with Gustavo Alfaro now in charge and unbeaten.

Their recent form has rekindled their hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 2010, with Paraguay seven points clear of Bolivia for an automatic place in next year's tournament in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Their defensive prowess, which has seen them concede the second-fewest goals in CONMEBOL, has put them back in the hunt.

Paraguay, meanwhile, have had to rely on their defence to keep them above the qualifying line, as they have struggled to find the back of the net, conceding the second-fewest goals in South America so far (nine).

La Albirroja are unbeaten in their last two World Cup qualifiers in Colombia, drawing 0-0 in 2021 and winning 2-1 in October 2017.

Recent Performance

Colombia World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

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Paraguay World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

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Team News

Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera remains sidelined with a torn ACL, while Juan Cabal is out with the same problem.

Two Colombians, Marino Hinestroza and Johan Carbonero, were unused substitutes against Brazil and will be hoping to make their first appearances for the national team.

Luis Diaz's lone goal on Thursday was the Liverpool man's 17th international goal, moving him past Carlos Bacca into sixth place on the all-time list and just one short of the late Freddy Rincon in fifth.

An injury to Gustavo Gomez will keep the Paraguay captain out of this game, while Hugo Cuenca is out with a muscle problem and will be replaced by Ruben Lezcano.

Four Paraguayans - Rodney Redes, Lezcano, Ronaldo de Jesus and Orlando Gill - are in search of their first caps.

Getafe's Omar Alderete scored the only goal against Chile, but it was all they needed as Roberto Fernandez made three saves to keep a clean sheet.

Possible starting lineup

Colombia possible starting lineup:

Vargas; Munoz, Cuesta, Lucumi, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Duran

Paraguay possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Caceres, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Galarza, Villasanti, Cubas, Almiron; Sanabria, Enciso