Paraguay could not have asked for a more difficult group in the 2021 Copa America and they will face Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia.The fact four teams from each group progress to the knockout stage means they still have a decent chance of progressing in the tournament.
In fact, Paraguay are likely to be among many peoples outsiders to lift the trophy, lets take a closer look as to why that is the case.
¡Vamos con todo, #Albirroja ⚪🔴!La Selección Paraguaya continúa con los entrenamientos de cara a los desafíos que se vienen por las eliminatorias rumbo a #Qatar2022 🏆#ElSueñoQueNosUne ⚽🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/mo2FvyNR14— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) May 26, 2021
¡Vamos con todo, #Albirroja ⚪🔴!La Selección Paraguaya continúa con los entrenamientos de cara a los desafíos que se vienen por las eliminatorias rumbo a #Qatar2022 🏆#ElSueñoQueNosUne ⚽🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/mo2FvyNR14
Paraguay were drawn in Group B of the 2019 Copa America and finished third behind Colombia and Argentina. This was expected considering the strength of the opposition but they managed to secure one of the two places as the second best ranked third team.
That was despite failing to win a game in the group and Paraguay picked up a point against Argentina and Qatar but lost 1-0 to Colombia.
You must go back to 1979 to find the last time Paraguay won the Copa America and they have reached the final of the competition just once since that success.
Paraguay played in the 2011 Copa America final, losing 3-0 to Uruguay. Interestingly, they reached the final of the 2011 edition without winning a match. Paraguay have since failed to get beyond the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Juan Carlos Osario resigned as manager of Paraguay in 2019 and Eduardo Berizzo took control of the team. The Argentine guided Paraguay to the quarter-final of the Copa America in 2019 and they have made an unbeaten start to 2022 World Cup qualifying.
Paraguay have won one and drawn 3 of their 4 World Cup qualifying games, with the 1-1 draw in Argentina being their best result to date.
In terms of the playing squad, forward Angel Romero is a key player. He currently plays for Argentine club San Lorenzo and has been in decent goal scoring form. Romero has recently been deployed on the left-wing for his country and likes to cut inside to score goals, scoring twice in the 2-2 draw with Peru in World Cup qualifying.
Staying with the attack and Sebastian Ferreira is a young player to look our for in the tournament should he be given his chance in the team.
Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron and Torino forward Antonio Sanabria are two players who can also add plenty to the Paraguay attack.
The experience of West Ham United defender Fabian Balbuena will be important at the back and he is likely to be joined by Gustavo Gómez, the captain of the team, in central defence.
The opening fixture against Bolivia will be key for Paraguay and a victory in the match will leave them in a good position for the remainder of the group. They come into the tournament in decent form and have been difficult to beat in recent World Cup qualifying matches.
Paraguay should at least reach the quarter-final of the 2021 Copa America and if they can avoid Colombia and Brazil, could even progress to the semi-final stage, where anything can happen.