Gustavo Alfaro extended his brilliant unbeaten reign as Paraguay manager (W5, D4), and gave their FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes a major boost as Los Guaranies coasted to a 2-0 victory at home to Uruguay.

Paraguay are aiming to make their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals since 2010, and since Alfaro took over the national side, four wins and four draws has the nation on the verge. And the home side looked the most dangerous in the opening stages.

Making his first competitive start in goal for Uruguay since October 2023, Santiago Mele’s eagerness to impress on his return backfired. Failure to gather Julio Enciso’s deflected cross allowed the more determined Matías Galarza to powerfully head home - despite the presence of two defenders guarding the line.

One nearly became two for Galarza and Paraguay four minutes before the half-hour mark in the Paraguayan capital as the midfielder’s fierce strike required Mele to acrobatically redirect the ball over the bar.

Despite being on course to join Paraguay across the United States, Mexico and Canada next year, Uruguay’s poor run of form continued in Asuncion.

Following a relatively quiet period in the game, it was Enciso who nearly doubled Paraguay’s lead in the 68th minute with a stunning strike from distance that flew narrowly wide of the top corner.

The Brighton & Hove Albion attacker’s determination eventually resulted with him getting his name onto the scoresheet in the 81st minute. Ronald Araujo’s clumsy challenge in the area left referee Darío Humberto Herrera no choice but to award a penalty, which Enciso confidently fired past Mele.

The three points see Paraguay leapfrog Brazil into third position in the qualification standings, with Alfaro’s men knowing a win on Wednesday against Carlo Ancelotti's newly-inherited side will almost certainly guarantee a place at next year’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, despite the defeat, Uruguay still remain six points ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela, with three matches left to play in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.