Sports

Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay, FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Poor Defence Hands Visitors Defeat

Uruguay suffered a 2-0 defeat to Paraguay in Matchday 15 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers on Thursday, 5 June, with both goals coming as a result of defensive mistakes from Marcelo Bielsa바카라™s side. In the 13th minute, goalkeeper Santiago Mele failed to gather Julio Enciso바카라™s cross, and Matias Galarza headed it in to give the hosts an early lead. Showing little attacking intent, the visitors allowed Paraguay to add a second after Ronald Araujo바카라™s poor challenge conceded a penalty, with Enciso putting it away. With the win, Paraguay move one step closer to their first World Cup appearance since 2010.

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay
World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Julio Enciso celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay
World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Mathias Villasanti controls the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Uruguay in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Uruguay vs Paraguay
FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Ronald Araujo, right, and Paraguay's Diego Gomez battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Uruguay
FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Matias Galarza, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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Uruguay Paraguay WCup Soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay
Paraguay Uruguay WCup Soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta (10) and Paraguay's Diego Gomez battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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Paraguay Uruguay WCup Soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay
Uruguay Paraguay WCup Soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Andres Cubas, left, and Juan Jose Caceres, center, fight for the ball with Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay

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World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Uruguay vs Paraguay
World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Julio Enciso, front, and Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay

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World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Paraguay vs Uruguay
World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Mathias Olivera (16) and Paraguay's Juan Jose Caceres go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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