EL ALTO.- Paraguay ripped off Bolivia a creditable 2-2 draw this Tuesday for the twelfth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in a match played at 4,150 meters of altitude in the city of El Alto, a result that keeps them in the direct qualification zone.
The goals for the local team were scored by Ervin Vaca (15 minutes) and Miguel Terceros (80, from a penalty), while the Guaraní goals were the work of Miguel Almirón (71) and Julio Enciso (90+1).
In the last match of the year for the World Cup, Albirroja achieved the sixth positive result since Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro took over after the Copa América in the United States: three wins and three draws.
It now has 17 points in fifth place in the regional table.
La Verde, with 13 points, is provisionally placed seventh, in the playoff zone.
Asphyxiation plan
From the first minutes, Bolivia, without much fuss, took over the game, while Paraguay remained hidden in its sector. The locals did not show much technique, but they did show tight control of the court.
The Guaraní were seen to be cautious when it came to running or making a lot of physical effort so as not to burn the gunpowder at the height of El Alto.
The Bolivians opened the scoring at 15 minutes. Ramiro Vaca started from the left sector, left his marker behind and shot left-footed at ground level to beat goalkeeper Roberto Fernández.
First the referee claimed an advanced position, but after verifying the play with the VAR, he validated the first goal.
With the first goal as gasoline with higher octane, the highlands stepped on the accelerator in search of the second goal, while the Albirroja maintained its game plan: avoid any empty space that would be taken advantage of by the opponent and wear down the physique.
Paraguay made the local fans pale in the 33rd minute. Midfielder Diego Gómez executed a free kick that seemed like a missile, but goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra, attentive, cleared the burning shot with effort.
The Bolivians, although owners of the field, failed to be effective in increasing the score.
Alfaro’s team began to patiently advance their lines and it would not have been surprising if they achieved a draw in the first half, if their pupils were encouraged with more conviction.
Tie in height
Bolivia maintained its tiresome scheme to increase the score, but due to its harmless play the visitors gained a foothold on the field. The entry of several players, such as Julio Enciso, gave more clarity in the attack.
Paraguay equalized the score at 71 through Miguel Almirón, after a series of touches dislocated the local defense.
Without much merit, Bolivia reached the second goal via penalty. Miguel Terceros executed at 80 and goalkeeper Fernández was very close to avoiding a new fall.
The penalty infuriated the Paraguayans and the entire bench of substitutes who complained to the Uruguayan referee Andrés Matonte.
There were disorders on the field that paralyzed the game for several minutes.
The Guaraníes equalized the score at 90+1. The 2-2 was reached by the new Enciso in another good collective maneuver by the Albirroja.
Bolivia delivered the first points since moving its home base to El Alto and with 13 points it must improve by 2025 if it wants a place in the World Cup.
