Paraguay is not quite as successful as Argentina or Uruguay, but they do rank 4th in Copa-América victories after Brazil. Paraguay has two Copa-Cup wins under their belt (1953 and 1979), and they have been runner-up 6 times (1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963, and 2011). Nicknamed Albirroja, meaning red and white for their flag, the team has made it to the World Cup 8 times, even though they have yet to win it all. Their best performance was in 2010 where they reached the quarterfinals, but ultimately lost to Spain (0-1). They have a history of playing disciplined soccer, and it has helped them to upset the competition. However, they also have a history of not quite being able to rise to the very top of the competition. This could prove to be a problem for Albirroja in Copa 2024, but it is also a unique opportunity for them to rise to the occasion.
Led by Daniel Garnero, Albirroja will look to not only win at the Copa América over the summer, but they will also look to qualify for the 2016 World Cup. Albirroja could use the win seeing as how they have not qualified for the World Cup since 2010. Garnero started in September of 2023, so he has not had long to assess his roster. He does come from a winning record of about 60% with Club Libertad, though. Garnero states that his focus is on “attacking the opponent,” but he also recognizes that “the good [players] need to be better.” He will look to create a cohesive team by merging the newer talents in with the older ones. A key player to be on the lookout for is Angel Romero, a 31-year-old winger who plays for Corinthians. He is known for his ability to make long shots and was the lead scorer in the 2021 Copa Cup. Paraguay will need to take advantage of his ability to finish from a distance in the 2024 Cup as they go up against strong teams like Columbia, Brazil, and Costa Rica. High pressure and a good defensive style of play simply won’t be enough to lead to a Paraguayan victory if they do not also bring strong offensive pressure.
See Angel Romero's Goals from Copa 2021 in Match Against Bolivia
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