Paraguay delivered a 4-0 friendly win over Nicaragua on Friday night in Asunción, a result that backs Gustavo Alfaro’s 4-2-3-1 blueprint and keeps momentum building ahead of the next competitive window. Marco Figueroa’s 4-4-2 visitors were overwhelmed by the rotation depth Paraguay rolled out after the break.
The tone was set early. José Gutiérrez went into the book in the 15th minute as Paraguay drove through the lines, then Kaku converted the 17th-minute penalty to reward that pressure. Julio Enciso’s outing stopped at the 25th minute when Mauricio came on, and the substitute immediately offered a vertical option between the lines that Nicaragua could not track.
Miguel Almirón, operating off Diego Gómez’s supply on the right of the attacking band, doubled the lead in the 42nd minute after a neat feed from the midfielder. Both starters were withdrawn at half-time once their work was done, part of Alfaro’s pre-planned sweep that saw ten Paraguay changes at the 46th minute. Kaku, Almirón, Gómez, Antonio Sanabria, Omar Alderete, Javier Alonso, Andrés Cubas, Gustavo Gómez, Juan Cáceres, and goalkeeper Roberto Fernández all gave way, with the bench instructed to preserve the same structure.
The fresh legs did more than preserve. Matías Galarza, who replaced Kaku, made it three in the 62nd minute. Alexandro Maidana, introduced for Javier Alonso, added the fourth five minutes later after Mauricio threaded the assist. Mauricio’s cameo felt like the decisive audition: an assist, clean connections, and a reminder that Alfaro has live competition for midfield slots.
Nicaragua struggled to exit their half once Paraguay’s press was renewed after the interval. Jacob Montes collected a yellow card in the 56th minute, and Figueroa’s double switch at the 63rd minute, bringing in Eryc Mejía and Leyner Sait, could not arrest the slide. Ariagner Smith had entered at half-time for Julio García, but the visitors’ front unit never established a foothold. Montes was finally replaced by Osmi Salinas in the 85th minute, a further sign of the strain Paraguay’s midfield triangle imposed.
Alfaro will review the data before trimming his Copa América shortlist, yet nights like this clarify the timeline: depth pieces such as Mauricio, Galarza, and Maidana have strengthened their bids. Figueroa, meanwhile, has work to do before Nicaragua resume their Nations League programme, particularly in the transitions that repeatedly exposed his double pivot.
Key numbers:
- Final score: Paraguay 4-0 Nicaragua
- Goals: Kaku 17' (penalty), Miguel Almirón 42', Matías Galarza 62', Alexandro Maidana 67'
- Assists: Diego Gómez 42', Mauricio 67'
- Bookings: José Gutiérrez 15', Jacob Montes 56'
- Notable substitutions: Mauricio for Julio Enciso 25'; ten Paraguay changes at 46'; Ariagner Smith for Julio García 46'; Eryc Mejía for José Moncada 63'; Leyner Sait for Alexander Velásquez 63'; Osmi Salinas for Jacob Montes 85'
Paraguay reconvene early next week, with Alfaro expected to lock in his travel list once medical checks on the returning starters are signed off. Nicaragua head back to Managua chasing the first clean sheet of Figueroa’s tenure before their next friendly slot later in June.
