Paraguay Defeat Colombia in Classic Encounter

Paraguay defeated Colombia in a classic encounter this afternoon at the Héroes de Curupayty, in Asunción. Trailing 26-15 at half time it took a late penalty from Sergio Alvarenga to give Paraguay a 28-26 victory.

It would be the Paraguayan fly half who would score the opening and closing points of the match. His penalties would turn out to be defining as Los Yakarés completed a come-from-behind victory.

Colombia’s impressive play in the mid stages of the opening half had Los Tucanes in total control. The first try came from Jorge Álvarez. With José Manuel Diosa’s conversion Colombia had a four point lead.

Try number two was the first of a double from winger Arley Urrutia. His opening score saw him latching on to a kick from fly half Emmanuel Bedoya. Diosa slotted the conversion and would do so for Urrutia’s second, which saw the winger scoring a classic that would be usually associated with a Fijian.

Paraguay responded with their opening try through Gonzalo Alvarado. The flanker spotted a gap in the mid-field to dart though and score. Alvarenga added the extras. He would miss with his next effort which was an attempted conversion following a try from No8 Leonardo Glizt.

Colombia’s advantage had been dented but the spirit of Los Tucanes swiftly saw a response. Scoring for the second time was Jorge Álvarez. Diosa’s conversion sailed wide and it would mark the final points of the afternoon for the visitors.

In the second half Paraguay’s superior fitness shaped the play. Los Tucanes simply ran out of gas while Colombia were able to win the set-piece battles.

Scoring all second half points was Sergio Alvarenga. He would do so to finish with a personal haul of 18 points for the match. The points were allocated to the fly half but it was the work of the pack in front of him which proved the difference.

Next up for Paraguay is a trip across the Andes. Los Yacarés will play away to Chile at the Old Grangonians Club on Saturday, May 19. Colombia will cross the border into Brazil where they face the high-flying Tupis at the Estádio do Canindé in São Paulo.

 

SCORING

PARAGUAY 28
Tries – G. Alvarado (26’), L. Glizt (33’), S. Alvarenga (45’)
Cons – S. Alvarenga 2/3 (27’, 46’)
Pens – S. Alvarenga 3/3 (2’, 44’, 75’)
Yellow cards – J. González (19’), G. Bareiro (65’)

COLOMBIA 26
Tries – Jo. Álvarez 2 (17’, 29’), A. Urrutia 2 (21’, 24’)
Cons – J. Diosa 3/4 (18’, 22’, 25’)
Yellow cards – Se. Mejía (39’), J. Diosa (65’)

 

TEAMS

PARAGUAY
1 Emilio Gorostiaga, 2 César de Brix, 3 Matías Martínez (18 Álvaro Rojas 44’), 4 Andrés Nasser (capt.), 5 Alejandro Montiel (19 José Lezcano 44’), 6 Horacio Ocampos (20 Carlos Plate 66’), 7 Gonzalo Alvarado, 8 Leonardo Glizt, 9 Gonzalo Bareiro (21 Gastón Navas 75’), 10 Sergio Alvarenga, 11 Renato Cardona, 12 Camilo Orrego (22 Santiago Alamo 62’), 13 Carlos Bareiro, 14 Diego Argaña (23 Horacio Agüero 46’), 15 Juan González

Not used: 16 Juan Inglés, 17 Joaquín Vera

COLOMBIA
1 Mauricio Espinal (17 Sebastián Arroyave 68’), 2 Jorge Álvarez, 3 Andrés Arango (16 Diego Posada 51’), 4 Santiago Mejía (18 Camilo Cadavid 72’), 5 Jhon Carlos Álvarez (20 Danny Giraldo 47’), 6 Gerson Ortiz, 7 Diver Ceballos (19 Felipe Aguirre 72’), 8 Sebastián Mejia (capt.), 9 Julián Navarro (21 Alejo Vanegas 66’), 10 Emmanuel Bedoya (22 Johan Ortiz 55’), 11 Arley Urrutia, 12 José Manuel Diosa, 13 Juan Dávila, 14 Neider García, 15 Andres Álvarez

Not used: 23 Maicol Machado

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jauri Rivero (UAR)