Paraguay's players celebrate after beating Peru in a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
Peru 0-1 Paraguay, FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Super-Sub Galarza Nets Late To Seal Victory
Paraguay edged out hosts Peru 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers match at the Estadio Nacional de Lima, with Matias Galarza netting a late strike. Galarza, who came on in the second half, got to the end of a precise cross from Juan Caceres in the 78th minute and gave Paraguay the lead. Peru pushed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t secure it. With this win, Paraguay sealed sixth place – the final automatic qualification spot, while Peru finished ninth.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's Matias Galarza celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Peru during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's Matias Galarza, left, celebrates with teammates Gustavo Velazquez, center, and Alex Arce after scoring his side's opening goal against Peru, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Peru's Luis Advincula, front, protects the ball from Paraguay's Matias Galarza during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's coach Gustavo Alfaro instructs his players during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Peru at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's Omar Alderete, right, heads the ball past Peru's Erik Noriega, center, during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's Omar Alderete, center, shoots the ball as Peru's Kenji Cabrera, left, and Renzo Garces defend during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Peru's Kenji Cabrera, left, pulls on the shirt of Paraguay's Diego Gomez during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National Stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Paraguay's Gustavo Gomez, right, competes for the ball with Peru's Luis Ramos during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Peru vs Paraguay
| Photo: AP/Martin Mejia
Players of Paraguay pose for a team photo before a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Peru at the National stadium in Lima, Peru.
Published At:
Tags