Paraguay’s Women’s under-20 team secured their place in the World Cup finals after Fiorella Fernandez’s 76th-minute equaliser earned them a 2-2 draw in a hard-fought game with Peru.
La Albirroja forged ahead through Fatima Acosta before Peru struck twice in quick succession to turn the game on its head. Paraguay had the last word, however, and will compete at the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the third time.
The finals will be held in Colombia later this year, from 31 August to 22 September 2024. With just one round of qualifying matches left to go, Paraguay join hosts Colombia, first-to-qualify Brazil, and Argentina who qualified at the same time as Paraguay with their 1-1 draw against Colombia.
Just one place remains available for South American teams at the World Cup finals, with Peru and Venezuela contending for it. Venezuela can guarantee their qualification with a victory over already-qualified Argentina, whereas Peru now need to beat already-qualified and reigning champions Brazil, and hope that Venezuela lose to Argentina.
