Paraguay’s U20 beach soccer team has been crowned South American champions for the second consecutive year after an impressive 5-0 victory over Brazil in the CONMEBOL U20 final in Lima, Peru. The Paraguayan side, known as Los Pynandi (a name derived from the Guaraní word for “barefoot”), delivered a commanding performance at the Playa Agua Dulce stadium to successfully defend the title they first won in 2023.
The final was a showcase of their tournament dominance, capping an undefeated campaign. It is a rare kind of sporting joke: Paraguay has no coastline, and no public beach culture in the usual sense. Los Pynandi play a game built for sand and sea from a landlocked heart of South America, training on purpose-built courts instead of an ocean shore, and still keeps winning.
A flawless championship campaign
Paraguay U20 concluded the tournament in Lima with a perfect record, securing five victories from five matches. Throughout the competition, the team demonstrated formidable attacking strength, scoring a total of 34 goals. Their path to the final included a decisive 6-1 win against Colombia in the semi-finals.
The final match saw them once again face their rivals, Brazil. Unlike previous encounters, Paraguay proved to be the superior team on the day, securing the championship with a comfortable winning margin.
Barrios leads the charge
The standout player of the final was Thiago Barrios, who scored an impressive four goals. Didier Cáceres completed the scoring with the fifth goal, sealing the emphatic win. Barrios’s personal haul in the final also secured him the tournament’s golden boot.
He finished as the top scorer of the CONMEBOL U20 Beach Soccer tournament with a remarkable total of 16 goals. This victory reaffirms the growing strength of Los Pynandi on the continental stage. Their consistent success underscores their position as a dominant force in South American beach soccer.
Also read Paraguay Crowned Champions At Acapulco Beach Soccer Cup 2026 In Mexico and follow Los Pynandi on Instagram for more tournament photo’s and videos.
