In a nail-biting finish, Ana Guzman nets the 89th-minute winner, leading Colombia to a 4-3 victory against Paraguay. Read the full match recap here!
Seven-Goal Thriller in Asunción: Colombia Edges Paraguay in Instant Classic
The road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 delivered one of the most entertaining and dramatic matches in South American football history. In an unforgettable CONMEBOL qualification fixture, Paraguay hosted Colombia at the historic Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción. Both nations walked onto the pitch determined to take a major step toward World Cup qualification. What followed was an absolute goal-fest filled with constant lead changes, world-class individual plays, and non-stop drama. When the final whistle blew, Colombia managed to escape with a breathtaking 4-3 victory, leaving the fans in attendance completely breathless.
A Wild First Half with Five Brilliant Goals
Matches between Paraguay and Colombia are always physical, but nobody expected the explosive start that unfolded in Asunción. The home side wasted no time attacking. In the 3rd minute, Paraguay earned a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Team captain Dulce Quintana stepped up with total confidence and smashed the penalty home to give Paraguay a 1-0 lead.
Colombia responded almost immediately. Just four minutes later, in the 7th minute, rising star Ana Guzman found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a beautiful strike to equalize at 1-1. The frantic pace did not slow down. In the 9th minute, Paraguay shocked the visitors again when Claudia Martinez controlled a loose ball and fired it past the Colombian goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
After that chaotic opening ten minutes, the game settled slightly, but the attacking intent remained. In the 43rd minute, Colombia’s patient buildup paid off when Marcela Restrepo connected with a perfectly timed cross to level the score at 2-2. Yet, Paraguay had the final say of the first half. Deep into stoppage time, Lice Chamorro scored a stunning header in the 45+1 minute, sending Paraguay into the locker room with a spectacular 3-2 lead. See also:Â Argentina Women Beat Ecuador 1-0 in Quito
Linda Caicedo Sparks the Colombian Comeback
The second half began with Colombia making tactical adjustments. They needed to tighten their defensive lines while maintaining their offensive threat. As the players returned to the pitch, Colombia looked much more disciplined, controlling the midfield and using their pace on the wings to push Paraguay backwards.
In the 60th minute, Colombia’s global superstar Linda Caicedo showed her immense talent. Caicedo picked up the ball on the left wing, dribbled past two Paraguayan defenders with incredible speed, and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net. The beautiful solo goal tied the match at 3-3 and completely shifted the momentum of the game. Paraguay tried to fight back using physical counter-attacks, but the Colombian defense stood strong, absorbing the pressure.
Ana Guzman Wins It Late for Colombia
As the match entered the final ten minutes, the physical toll of the fast-paced game became clear. Players from both squads began to tire, creating massive pockets of space all over the field. Both managers made late substitutions to inject fresh energy, and the tension inside the Estadio Defensores del Chaco reached a boiling point.
Just when it looked like this classic encounter would end in a 3-3 draw, Colombia found one last moment of magic. In the 89th minute, Colombia earned a corner kick. The ball traveled through a crowd of players and found Ana Guzman at the back post. Guzman reacted perfectly, guiding the ball into the back of the net to score her second goal of the night. The Colombian bench erupted in wild celebrations as they took a 4-3 lead, holding on tightly through stoppage time to secure all three points.
Big Picture for Both Nations on the World Cup Journey
This thrilling 4-3 victory is a massive statement for Colombia. Showing the mental strength to come from behind twice away from home proves why they are one of the top teams in South America. The attacking partnership of Ana Guzman and Linda Caicedo looks incredibly dangerous for any opponent they will face next.
For Paraguay, this result brings immense heartbreak but also immense pride. Scoring three goals against a powerful team like Colombia shows that they have the offensive talent to compete with the very best. However, their defensive lapses ultimately cost them a positive result. As the CONMEBOL qualification marathon continues, both teams have shown they will be major entertaining forces on the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
