Paraguay's World Cup Team Receives Hero's Welcome, President Urges Coach Alfaro to Stay

Thousands of passionate fans greeted the Paraguayan national football team at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque upon their return from the World Cup. The team, which reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by France, was met with cheers, flags, and songs in a display of national pride.

President Santiago Peña was among the attendees, celebrating the squad's performance. He commented on the controversial penalty awarded to France, suggesting that without it, the match might have gone to extra time, with goalkeeper Orlando Gill potentially making crucial saves in a penalty shootout. Peña had previously declared a national holiday following Paraguay's victory over Germany in the previous round.

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If the penalty hadn't been called, they wouldn't have scored on us.

Coach Gustavo Alfaro, visibly moved, thanked the fans for their unwavering support. He spoke of the "different energy" and "genuine contagion" of enthusiasm that emanated from the Paraguayan people, which he felt fueled the team's commitment. Alfaro highlighted how the sold-out stadium for their home match against Brazil demonstrated not just expectation but true "illusion."

The players signed autographs and took photos with the crowd before moving to a platform where President Peña addressed them. Peña thanked the team for representing the country and urged for the continuity of coach Alfaro, whose future with the team was uncertain after the loss to France. Robert Harrison also expressed similar sentiments.

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart, not just for coming here. From the moment we played our first match against Uruguay, from the moment we had the privilege of arriving in this beautiful country, we felt a different energy. That contagion that came from within, from within this land, from within this homeland, which we began to feel because before playing against Brazil at home, the entire stadium was already sold out. And that was not expectation, it was illusion. That contagion that came, that genuine part from you, was transferred to all of us. If there was always a commitment, from that moment on the commitment was much greater.