SUITA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 10: Miguel Almiron of Paraguay looks on during the international friendly match between Japan and Paraguay at Panasonic Stadium Suita on October 10, 2025 in Suita, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
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Paraguay has drawn an international friendly 2-2 in Tokyo against host nation Japan as part of both sides’ preparations for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Japan 2-2 Paraguay
Japan can be considered strong opposition for Paraguay. The ‘Samurai Blue’ qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup with relative ease. Japan won Group C in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying with a goal difference of +27. Japan led the table four points ahead of Australia in second and ten points ahead of Saudi Arabia in third.
Japan shocked the world by topping Group E at the FIFA 2022 World Cup. The Asian side defeated former World Cup champions Spain and Germany in the last tournament, so Paraguay faced a tough test in Tokyo.
DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 01: Ritsu Doan of Japan celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Paraguay managed to lead twice in the match, first through a Miguel Almirón goal in the 20th minute and later through a Diego Gómez strike in the 64th. Japan twice equalized though, making it 2-2 in the final moments of the match. A Paraguay victory would have been unfair on the hosts. Japan played well and had the lion’s share of momentum in the match. Paraguay is used to that dynamic as regular underdogs but conceding a late equalizer will sting.
Paraguay On The Attack
Efficiency in front of goal will be crucial for Paraguay. The team hasn’t enjoyed over 50% possession in a game since victory its against Venezuela in October 2024.
Incredibly, the same month marks the last time that striker Antonio Sanabria scored for club or country. The forward plays for Cremonese in the Italian Serie A. His last strike was one of the most memorable Paraguay have scored for many years, an incredible bicycle kick in the win against World Cup champion Argentina. However his lack of goals since then is a real concern.
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY – NOVEMBER 14: Antonio Sanabria of Paraguay celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay and Argentina at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on November 14, 2024 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)
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Thankfully, playing just behind Sanabria against Japan, were goal scorers Almirón and Gómez. Both have the ability to change a game in seconds and so they’d better bring their shooting boots next summer, to give Paraguay a fighting chance of having a successful World Cup.
Weeks ago Gómez scored four goals in one match for Brighton against Barnsley. Meanwhile Almirón, who played for Newcastle United between 2019 and 2025, is considered the best Paraguayan player of his generation. Their spark coupled with a solid defensive structure is the base of Paraguay’s impressive form.
Paraguay’s Diego Gomez celebrates after scoring during the international football friendly match between Japan and Paraguay at Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka prefecture on October 10, 2025. (Photo by PAUL MILLER / AFP) (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)
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Paraguay’s Star Centre Backs
In Omar Alderete and captain Gustavo Gómez, Paraguay has a frightening centre back partnership.
Alderete spent many seasons in Spain playing for the likes of Valencia and Getafe, but he moved to the Premier League side Sunderland this summer. He has hit the ground running. He recently scored the only goal in a 1-0 away win at Nottingham Forest and he has also helped the team with an assist and three clean sheets.
Paraguay’s defender #15 Gustavo Gomez and Paraguay’s defender #03 Omar Alderete celebrate at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Paraguay and Venezuela at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion on October 15, 2024. (Photo by Daniel Duarte / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL DUARTE/AFP via Getty Images)
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Gustavo Gómez is also the captain of Brazilian team Palmeiras. It is the most formidable club side in South America at the moment. Gómez also scored a big goal recently, away against River Plate in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals. The defender has a strong physical presence; he is effective in both boxes and a brilliant leader in the changing room.
The 2-2 result against Japan means Paraguay have now gone 13 games with just one loss, ending FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying on a high. Next up in the World Cup preparations is a visit to Seoul to take on South Korea in another friendly.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephosullivan/2025/10/11/paraguay-concedes-late-goal-to-tie-with-japan-in-world-cup-warm-up/
