Paraguay defeated Peru and advanced to the semifinals

• Won 3 out of their 4 matches in Group B.
• One win away from qualifying for the Seychelles World Cup.

Paraguay achieved its first objective: they made it through Group B, which included the last two tournament finalists (Brazil and Argentina), and are now among the top four in the CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa 2025™.

The first period was explosive, back and forth, with two scoring bursts: early on, Thiago Barrios scored for Paraguay, and Alcántara equalized for Peru with a stunning bicycle kick. At the end of the period, Benítez responded with an incredible bicycle kick for Paraguay, but David Díaz leveled the score again.

The second period decided Paraguay’s qualification. Billy Velezmoro put Peru ahead with a powerful shot next to the post, but the same scorers from the first period turned the game around for the Pynandi: Benítez (once again with a bicycle kick) and Barrios with a strong strike.

The third period was less intense, with no goals, marking the end of the Group Stage for both teams.

Peru finished fifth in Group B and will play for ninth place against Ecuador on Saturday, March 1.

The Pynandi started the tournament with a loss to Venezuela but then bounced back by defeating Argentina and shocking the reigning South American and World champions, Brazil. On Saturday, they will play in the semifinals, chasing a double dream: returning to a World Cup after missing the last one and lifting the CONMEBOL Copa América Beach Soccer™ trophy.

Lineups

Paraguay (4): 12- Yoao Rolón, 3- Thiago Barrios, 8- Carlos Carballo (Captain), 10- Valentín Benítez.

Substitutes: 1- Carlos Ovelar, 2- Sixto Cantero, 4- Jhovanny Benítez, 6- Pedro Morán, 7- Milciades Medina, 9- Néstor Medina, 11- Mathías Martínez.

Coach: Joaquín Molas.

Peru (3): 12- Hugo Lescano, 5- Christian Sialer, 6- Jean Pierre Vargas, 7- Diego Alcántara, 11- Billyvardo Velezmoro (Captain).

Substitutes: 1- Sergio Chávez, 2- Jhair Lescano, 3- Deynor Puelles, 4- Luis Anthony Mori, 8- David Díaz, 9- Joaquín Manco, 10- Sócrates Vidal.

Coach: Francisco Castelo Branco.

Goals

1st Period: 1’ Thiago Barrios (Paraguay), 2’ Diego Alcántara (Peru), 10’ Valentín Benítez (Paraguay), 11’ David Díaz (Peru). Partial Score: Paraguay 2-2 Peru

2nd Period: 1’ Billyvardo Velezmoro (Peru), 2’ Valentín Benítez (Paraguay), 4’ Thiago Barrios (Paraguay). Partial Score: Paraguay 4-3 Peru

3rd Period: No goals. Final Score: Paraguay 4-3 Peru

Cards: None.

Main referee: Ferley Fuentes (Colombia).