Paraguay have produced some talented footballers but never enough it seems to take that next step towards the elite. They have managed to win the Copa America on two occasions, but the last win was back in 1979. This will actually be their eighth World Cup finals but they have never been beyond the second round. Some bright football and encouraging results in the qualifying group has given them hope that perhaps 2010 will be Paraguay’s time to shine.
They took part in the first World Cup in 1930, but didn’t make it past the first round. Further first round exits followed in 1950 and 1958 which was followed by a drought until they reached the 1986 finals in Mexico. They were undefeated in the group stage but were soundly beaten in the second round 3-0 by England. They were to experience second round heartbreak again in 1998 and 2002. In 1998, they were unbeaten in their group and played hosts France in the last 16. In a tense affair, Paraguay took the eventual champions to extra time where a Laurent Blanc goal six minutes from the end eliminated the plucky Paraguayans. They once again reached the last 16 in 2002, only to see Germany beat them with a goal two minutes from the end. The last World Cup saw them lose to Sweden and England, being forced to head home early once more.
Their qualification through South American for the 2010 World Cup was pretty comfortable for the standards of that arduous group stage which forces all teams to play 18 matches. Their tremendous home record is what got them through. They won seven of the nine home qualifiers beating Brazil and Argentina in the process. In the end, they qualified with matches to spare, finishing third, just one point behind Brazil and a full nine points clear of the playoff places.
In an intriguing group, Paraguay will pit their wits against Italy, Slovenia and New Zealand. Their opening match against the Italians could tell us a lot about this side but their match against Slovenia is likely to be decisive with New Zealand looking certain to be the group’s whipping boys. Paraguay’s squad members are spread out all over South America and Europe with Roque Santa Cruz of Manchester City as their top scorer. Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo will be hoping to reproduce his club form and improve his rather disappointing international record.