Paraguay 2-0 Uruguay, FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Poor Defence Hands Visitors Defeat

Uruguay suffered a 2-0 defeat to Paraguay in Matchday 15 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers on Thursday, 5 June, with both goals coming as a result of defensive mistakes from Marcelo Bielsa’s side. In the 13th minute, goalkeeper Santiago Mele failed to gather Julio Enciso’s cross, and Matias Galarza headed it in to give the hosts an early lead. Showing little attacking intent, the visitors allowed Paraguay to add a second after Ronald Araujo’s poor challenge conceded a penalty, with Enciso putting it away. With the win, Paraguay move one step closer to their first World Cup appearance since 2010.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 6 June 2025 3:54 pm

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Julio Enciso celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

1/7

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Mathias Villasanti controls the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Uruguay in Asuncion, Paraguay.

2/7

FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Uruguay vs Paraguay

FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Ronald Araujo, right, and Paraguay's Diego Gomez battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

3/7

FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Uruguay

FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Matias Galarza, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

4/7

Uruguay Paraguay WCup Soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay

Paraguay Uruguay WCup Soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Giorgian de Arrascaeta (10) and Paraguay's Diego Gomez battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

5/7

Paraguay Uruguay WCup Soccer: Paraguay vs Uruguay

Uruguay Paraguay WCup Soccer: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Andres Cubas, left, and Juan Jose Caceres, center, fight for the ball with Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay

6/7

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Uruguay vs Paraguay

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Paraguay vs Uruguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay's Julio Enciso, front, and Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay

7/7

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Paraguay vs Uruguay

World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match: Uruguay vs Paraguay | Photo: AP/Jorge Saenz

Uruguay's Mathias Olivera (16) and Paraguay's Juan Jose Caceres go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Asuncion, Paraguay.