Paraguay Coach Alfaro: 'We Came to Compete and We Competed' After World Cup Exit

Gustavo Alfaro, head coach of the Paraguayan national football team, conveyed profound disappointment following their exit from the 2026 World Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to France in the round of 16. Despite the loss, Alfaro expressed pride in his players' performance and their competitive approach against a formidable opponent.

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The feeling I have right now is one of great sadness, honestly, because although we had very few chances beforehand to advance, we felt we could pull it off.

Alfaro acknowledged the emotional toll of the defeat, contrasting the team's aspirations with the outcome dictated by a moment of individual brilliance from the French side. He elaborated on the immense tactical difficulties in neutralizing France's offensive power, comparing the challenge to their previous match against Germany. The coach revealed his strategy was to reach halftime with a 0-0 scoreline, intending to introduce attacking players like Ávalos and Maurício to seek a late victory.

"The feeling I have right now is one of great sadness, honestly, because although we had very few chances beforehand to advance, we felt we could pull it off," Alfaro stated. "We felt the complexity was immense... But the issue was, I wanted to reach the break zero to zero, because then Ávalos and Maurício were about to come in, which was to go look for the game at the end; stay with speed to go look for the game at the end with a pause, and the penalty play just happened and it leaves you with nothing."

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But the issue was, I wanted to reach the break zero to zero, because then Ávalos and Maurício were about to come in, which was to go look for the game at the end; stay with speed to go look for the game at the end with a pause, and the penalty play just happened and it leaves you with nothing.

Despite the setback, Alfaro emphasized the value of competing against elite global talent, highlighting the tournament's significance for the future of Paraguayan football. "On the other hand, I am left with the peace of mind that we came to compete, and we competed, and we competed in very difficult phases," he added. The coach's remarks underscored a sense of accomplishment in challenging one of the world's top teams, despite the ultimate result.

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On the other hand, I am left with the peace of mind that we came to compete, and we competed, and we competed in very difficult phases.