Paraguay beat Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday at Audi Field in Washington, in the national team’s first friendly after the 2026 World Cup. Miguel Almirón scored both goals, and Gastón Olveira saved a penalty that could have cut Bolivia’s deficit.
Paraguay took the lead in the 16th or 17th minute—the accounts differ by one minute. Diego Gómez played the ball to Robert Morales, who laid it off with his head for Almirón to finish with his left foot. In the 48th minute, at the start of the second half, Mauricio won the ball and set up Morales, who touched it to Julio Enciso. Enciso advanced and fed Almirón on the left; the forward struck across goal to score again.
Olveira had already kept Bolivia off the scoresheet early in the match, turning Gabriel Villamil’s shot from mid-range around the post for a corner. In the second half, with Paraguay two goals ahead, Gustavo Alfaro made changes to test alternatives. The substitutions reduced Paraguay’s influence, and Oscar Villegas’s team began to attack more.
Miguel Terceros won a penalty after being fouled by José Canale, then took the spot kick. The accounts place the award between the 73rd and 75th minutes. Olveira saved the shot, which also hit the post, and the defense cleared the danger. Late on, Paraguay threatened again: Ramón Sosa took a low free kick for Gustavo Caballero, whose powerful shot forced Guillermo Viscarra into a save. Bolivia also had chances, including a curling effort from Ramiro Vaca that Olveira saved.
The match ended 2-0, but the closing stages were less comfortable than Paraguay’s early dominance might have suggested. Alfaro’s team begins its post-World Cup transition with a win, while Bolivia showed more attacking presence after Paraguay’s changes. The Albirroja’s next friendly will be against Colombia on Friday, October 2, in New Jersey.