“Hugo Benítez has his initial shot saved but reacts quickest to the loose ball, finishing to put Paraguay ahead against the run of play.”
Pivotal“Gustavo Puerta is shown a yellow card for arguing with officials as tempers flare late on with Colombia pressing for an equalizer.”
Colombia
Paraguay
Colombia controlled the contest from start to finish, racking up 58% possession, 14 shots to Paraguay's 5, and more than double the dangerous attacks, yet found themselves undone by a single moment of composure from Hugo Benítez. The Paraguayan forward's goal came against the run of play, created out of nothing after his saved effort fell kindly, and it proved enough to seal the win despite Colombia creating the better and more frequent chances. The hosts' profligacy in front of goal, including a big chance missed, stood in stark contrast to Paraguay's clinical edge, and the visitors leaned on resilient defending, winning more tackles and committing more fouls to disrupt Colombia's rhythm. The second half grew feisty as both sides made wholesale changes and five yellow cards were shown late on, but Colombia could never find the breakthrough, leaving them to rue missed opportunities in a game they dominated statistically but lost on the scoreboard.
How entertaining was this match?
Corner awarded.
Matias Galarza comes on for Hugo Cuenca.
Matias Orozco takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kevin Stiven Viveros Rodallega takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Yellow card shown to Adrian Andres Cubas.
Yellow card issued.
Matias Orozco replaces Richard Rios.
On Samuel Velasquez, off Jhon Janer Lucumi.
Yaser Asprilla receives a yellow card.
Jhon Janer Lucumi attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Jaminton Campaz takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Jhon Arias takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Offside.
Substitution: Alex Adrian Arce Barrios comes on for Hugo Benitez.
Alan Benitez replaces Juan Cáceres.
Edier Ocampo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Hugo Benitez takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Goal! Hugo Benitez scores, making it 1-0.
Hugo Benitez takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Hugo Cuenca takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
On comes Kevin Stiven Viveros Rodallega, off goes Luis Javier Suarez Charris.
Jaminton Campaz is on, and Alvaro Angulo is off.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Luis Javier Suarez Charris takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Yaser Asprilla takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Offside.
Yellow card shown to Juan Cáceres.
Alvaro Angulo's left-footed shot is blocked.
Richard Rios takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yaser Asprilla takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Julio Cesar Enciso takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Gustavo Raul Gomez Portillo takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Kick-off has occurred!
Colombia host Paraguay in New Jersey as Néstor Lorenzo continues rebuilding his squad in the post-World Cup cycle. Paraguay arrive full of confidence after a 2-0 win over Bolivia, while Colombia will look to build on a spirited 1-1 draw with Mexico.
