Paraguay’s women’s national football team secured third place at the sixth edition of the Brazil Ladies Cup 2026. La Albirroja Femenina defeated Uruguay’s Peñarol 2-1 at the Estádio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa in Brazil. A match-winning performance from Fátima Acosta ensured Paraguay’s women ended the tournament on a high following a hard-fought contest.
Securing a bronze medal
Acosta (21) scored both of Paraguay’s goals to guide her side to victory. She opened the scoring with a composed right-footed finish before Peñarol responded through Josefina Villa. Villa levelled the match in the 38th minute after a long pass, restoring parity before the interval.
However, Acosta produced the standout moment of the afternoon in the second half. Spotting goalkeeper Martine Alonso off her line, she launched a remarkable long-range shot that sailed over the Peñarol keeper and into the net. Thus, she restored Paraguay’s lead, ultimately sealing a bronze medal for the team.
Fátima Acosta: A rising football star
Acosta’s match-winning display was the latest chapter in the rapid rise of one of Paraguay’s brightest football talents. In 2023, the striker made the difficult decision to leave Paraguay and move to Brazil, joining the youth system of São Paulo FC. Relocating to one of South America’s largest cities meant leaving behind her family and familiar surroundings in pursuit of opportunities to develop her game and compete at a higher level.
The move quickly paid dividends. In 2024, Acosta helped Paraguay qualify for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup after an outstanding campaign at the South American Under-20 Women’s Championship in Ecuador. She finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer with seven goals, sharing the honour with Colombia’s Gabriela Rodríguez and Venezuela’s Mariana Barreto.
Acosta then represented Paraguay at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, where she scored both goals in La Albirroja’s 2-0 victory over Morocco, marking Paraguay’s second-ever win at the tournament. Although the team did not progress beyond the group stage, her performances reinforced her reputation as one of the country’s brightest young talents.
Since then, Acosta has continued her development at club level and now plays for team UNAM Pumas in the Liga MX Femenil league based in Mexico. However, she continues to represent the Paraguayan national team on the international stage.
Growing profile of women’s football
The Brazil Ladies Cup is an annual international women’s football tournament and industry summit designed to promote the growth and visibility of the women’s game in Brazil. It is organised by the International Football Soccer Society Federation (FIFOS) in partnership with the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF).
While the competition has traditionally been held in December, the Brazil Ladies Cup 2026 took place in July. The tournament features a condensed knockout format, bringing together leading Brazilian clubs alongside invited international clubs and national teams.
Also read: FIFA Expansion Talks Could Transform Paraguay Into Major 2030 World Cup Venue.
