Paraguay played like 'eleven friends,' harder to beat than 'eleven stars,' says ex-coach

Former Paraguay coach Carlos Jara Saguier lauded the national team's performance in the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing their strong collective spirit. Saguier believes the team's greatest asset was their unity, stating, "They played like eleven friends, and that is harder to beat than eleven stars." He noted that Paraguay displayed its best form from the second match onwards, recovering its characteristic style against Turkey after a perceived easier match against the United States. The coach highlighted solidarity, collective commitment, intensity, and camaraderie as crucial factors in their World Cup campaign. "We always say it's much harder to beat eleven friends than eleven stars," he reiterated. Saguier also commented on player Ariel Gamarra, whom he coached in youth selections. He described Gamarra as a versatile and reliable player capable of performing in various midfield roles, possessing both offensive and defensive strengths. While avoiding direct comparisons, Saguier expressed confidence in Gamarra's potential to establish himself at Cerro Porteño. Spain was deemed the deserved winner of the tournament, with Saguier noting their strong defense, having conceded only one goal. He defined "playing well" as denying the opponent opportunities while creating and converting chances. Furthermore, Saguier strongly advocated for Paraguayan coaches, citing Luis de la Fuente's success with Spain's youth teams before winning the World Cup. He urged trust in local coaches, pointing out that most World Cup-winning nations have been led by their own nationals.