Video: Incidents During Celebrations for 'Albirroja' Victory

The euphoria surrounding Paraguay's victory against Turkey in the 2026 World Cup was dampened by a series of disturbances in downtown Asunción early Saturday morning. While hundreds of fans celebrated the "Albirroja's" triumph in the streets, the National Police intervened in multiple incidents, including attempted theft, possession of illicit substances, and public altercations.

According to Germán Chena, chief of the 3rd Metropolitan Police Station, several individuals were taken to the police station as part of the security operation. Among those detained were people found with narcotics and suspects involved in an attempted cellphone theft. Two men were also apprehended after engaging in a fight, one of whom was reportedly a minor, requiring verification to involve child welfare authorities.

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Several people were transferred to the police station as part of the operation deployed to ensure security during the celebrations.

Chena noted that police also received reports of cellphone robberies, a crime that typically increases during large public gatherings. One of the more tense episodes involved a group throwing stones at police officers who were attempting to control a brawl. These incidents occurred as officers tried to escort those involved to the police station for identification and questioning.

Despite the disruptions, Paraguayan authorities reported no damage to public infrastructure such as signs or street furniture. The primary objective of the security operation was to maintain order during the celebrations, which largely succeeded in preventing more widespread issues.

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Among the detainees are individuals caught with narcotic substances, as well as suspects involved in an attempted cellphone theft.