Paraguay defeats Uruguay in first U-20 friendly with Forlán coaching Celeste

Paraguay's under-20 national team secured a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in a closed-door friendly match played near Montevideo. The game was notable as it marked the coaching debut of Uruguayan football legend Diego Forlán with the Celeste youth squad.

The scoring was opened by an own goal from a Uruguayan player in the 15th minute, followed by a goal from Paraguayan forward Junio Gamarra in the 28th minute. This result gives Paraguay an early advantage in the two-match friendly series. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Thursday at the same venue.

Paraguay's squad, managed by former player Antolín Alcaraz, features players like defenders Mateo Giménez and Fernando Herrera, midfielders Osmar Giménez and Lucas Romañach, and forwards Gamarra and Rodrigo Vera. Forlán has selected a squad of 27 players from the local league for these friendlies, including Facundo Abreu, son of former striker Washington Sebastián Abreu, who was Forlán's teammate on the 2011 Copa América winning team.

These matches serve as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the South American Games, scheduled to take place in Santa Fe, Argentina, from September 12 to 26. They are also part of their build-up for next year's U-20 South American Championship, where both Paraguay and Uruguay will compete for berths in the U-20 World Cup.