Colombia Faces Paraguay in Critical World Cup Qualifier

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia — Colombia and Paraguay clash on Tuesday at Estadio Metropolitano, seeking redemption in their World Cup qualifying campaign. The match is crucial for both teams, as they are separated by just one point in the CONMEBOL standings.

Colombia is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Brazil, which has left them sixth in the qualifying table. The defeat was particularly painful as it came with a goal conceded in the dying minutes. The Colombians had started their qualification journey strongly but have since lost three consecutive matches.

Despite their recent struggles, Colombia remains in a favorable position for qualification, holding the final automatic spot with Bolivia trailing by six points and five matches remaining. As noted by coach Néstor Lorenzo, “Our focus is on regaining consistency and confidence. We need to secure maximum points in front of our home crowd.”

The team has performed well at home, gathering 13 of their 19 qualification points at Estadio Metropolitano, with their last home match resulting in a commanding 4-0 victory over Chile.

On the other hand, Paraguay enters this match with momentum, having gone unbeaten in their last seven qualifiers. Following a coaching change after their early Copa America exit, La Albirroja has turned its fortunes around. Their recent defensive strength has allowed them to earn vital points, despite struggling offensively, scoring just nine goals thus far.

“We’ve set ourselves up well in the qualifiers, but we know how tough Colombia can be at home,” said Paraguay coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto. “We need to remain disciplined defensively and take our chances when they arrive.”

The historical context favors Colombia, as they have not lost to Paraguay in their last six encounters across all competitions. However, Paraguay secured a victory over Colombia in their last Copa America meeting, highlighting the unpredictable nature of these matchups.

In terms of player absences, Colombia will be without key defender Nélson Palacios due to a torn ACL. Paraguay will miss captain Gustavo Gómez, who is sidelined with injury, along with other squad members dealing with fitness issues.

Both teams will look to new faces as they aim for crucial points in their qualifying campaigns. Colombia’s recent form suggests they will bring an attacking approach, while Paraguay is expected to rely on a solid defensive structure.

The match kicks off at midnight UTC on March 26, 2025, and is a must-watch for fans eager to see which team takes a significant step toward World Cup qualification.