October 19, 2024, 10:30 PM
October 19, 2024, 10:30 PM
The Paraguayan soccer team won the South American U-15 Championship title, which was played at the Tahuichi Aguilera stadium in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. In the final, Albirroja beat Ecuador in the penalty shootout 4-3, after tying in regulation time without opening the score.
It was an even match, Although in the final minutes the Ecuadorians were closer to victory, but they found goalkeeper Félix Fernández who showed confidence at all times.
Fernández was also key in the penalty shootout, because when his team won 4-3 and Ecuador had only one shot left, he blocked Jostin García’s shot and in that way the Paraguayans celebrated the championship.
Immediately, the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) and the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) carried out the awards with the presentation of medals and the champion trophy for the Paraguayans.
La Albirroja, in the group stage, was part of group A, in which they beat Peru (2-0), Colombia (1-0) and Bolivia (4-0). The only game they lost was against Chile (0-1). They qualified as second in their series and in the semifinals they beat Argentina on penalties (4-3), after tying (2-2) in the 80 minutes of play.
In the preliminary match, for third place, Chile and Argentina had faced each other. The Albiceleste completed the podium after winning 2-1with goals from Thomas De Martis and Lautaro Pereyra; The goal of honor for La Roja was the work of Zidane Yáñez.
The president of the FBF, Fernando Costa, was satisfied with the public in Santa Cruz, who responded to the call for this championship. “This tournament allows us to demonstrate that as FBF, we are prepared to organize international events. It is true that the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2025 will be different, but we are working well in advance so that everything goes well in that grand final that will be held in Santa Cruz,” he said.
Besides, The president of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, congratulated through his X account, the title achieved by Paraguay. “The triumph is the reflection of a team that believes big,” wrote the headline, who knows Santa Cruz and who was one of the key men for the 2025 Sudamericana final to be played in the most soccer-loving capital in the country.
