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It looked a huge game for Miguel Almiron and Paraguay on Tuesday (early hours of Wednesday morning in UK time), as they hosted Venezuela in this World Cup qualifying group match.
It had been over six hours of football since Paraguay conceded a goal, if only they could score a few at the other end!
Reaching the halfway point in the 18 match, 10 countries, South American World Cup qualifying group, Paraguay lying eighth of ten on 10 points, with Venezuela one point and one place higher.
If Paraguay could win at home against Venezuela, there was actually every chance they could end the October internationals in fifth place in the group (the top six automatically qualify for the World Cup and seventh place goes into an all or nothing play-off for a potential seventh qualifying place). As Bolivia were playing Argentina away and Bolivia at Uruguay on Tuesday.
The last three results and performances had given Miguel Almiron and Paraguay a great chance of reaching those 2026 World Cup finals.
Goalless away draws achieved against Uruguay and Ecuador, sandwiching that massive 1-0 home win over Brazil last month.
In total, Paraguay had managed two wins and four draws in their opening nine matches despite only scoring two goals! However, their hard work and discipline at the other end had meant only three conceded in the nine group matches.
So now they had the platform, they just needed to beat Venezuela to put themselves in a great position…
Former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon was facing Miguel Almiron at kick-off and after 25 minutes disaster struck, as Aramburu gave Venezuela the lead.
Paraguay responded well though and after a lively start, they didn’t let that setback affect them, however, the goals just wouldn’t come. Having scored only two in nine matches, a big ask for them to manage two to win this game.
A great battling and dominant performance though, perfectly summed up by Miguel Almiron putting in his usual hard working shift.
Their hard work and persistence eventually paying off as Sanabria got the equaliser on 59 minutes, then only a quarter of an hour later, got what proved to be the comeback winning goal.
Paraguay seeing out this excellent home win and having 13 shots to the visitors’ 6, 61 percent possession, plus five corners to only one for Venezuela.
Miguel Almiron subbed on 80 minutes after a non-stop performance, playing in a more central free role as he usually does for his country.
This is how the South American World Cup qualifying group now looks on Wednesday morning, after Paraguay’s comeback win, plus Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil smashing Peru 4-0. Whilst Argentina hammered Bolivia 6-0 and Ecuador got a goalless draw away against Uruguay.
A huge challenge in November, when their next match sees Paraguay host group leaders Argentina. Anything from that match would be a bonus with then the really big game next month seeing Miguel Almiron and his teammates away to Bolivia, a win in that game would be huge.
This is the October 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Thursday 10 October
England 1 Greece 2
Nick Pope and Tino Livramento watched from the bench as Anthony Gordon started, with Odysseas Vlachidomos in goal for Greece in this Nations League group game.
Lee Carsley going with an experimental set-up that saw Bellingham play as a false number nine, Gordon on the left wing.
A team that failed on the night, whatever the system. This was no flukey win as Greece had the ball in the back of the net five times, only for VAR and the linesman’s flag to save them on three occasions. England only had two efforts on target all night, both from Bellingham – one bringing a brilliant save from the Newcastle keeper and the other one he was unsighted for and unlucky with, as he still got a hand to it.
Saka, Gordon and Foden all replaced in the second half but it made no difference, only Bellingham emerging with any credit.
As much as you can say things didn’t work out going forward, England lost because Pickford and his defence were absolutely woeful. Whilst Vlachodimos and Greece have only lost one (not including a penalty shootout v Georgia) of their last nine now and that was to an 89th minute goal away against Germany.
Chile 1 Brazil 2
Bruno Guimaraes was one of the players dropped for this World Cup group qualifier, a desperate Dorival Junior under extreme pressure, having only won three of his last nine games, after having won at Wembley against England in March, in his first game in charge.
The changes only made things worse! Even though Brazil up against second bottom of the group Chile.
Vargas gave Chile the lead after only two minutes and indeed could and should have been at least two or three up by the break.
Instead, Brazil carried their luck and Igor Jesus gave them an undeserved equaliser with a glancing header on the stroke of half-time. That could have been easily disallowed as it looked a foul in the build up before the cross was put in.
Even despite that goal, Dorival Junior had seen enough. Gerson and Bruno Guimaraes brought on for the second-half.
That did prompt some improvement and Brazil would have taken the lead, as a move initiated by a great pass from Bruno Guimaraes, then saw Raphina released just inside the Chile half, he put the ball in the net but replays showed he’d gone too soon and was offside.
Reaching the 89th minute another dismal result in prospect for Brazil. Then Bruno Guimaraes picked the ball up and passed to Luiz Henrique, who produced a wonderful finish to win it so late!
Italy 2 Belgium 2
Sandro Tonali put in another excellent performance in this latest Nations League match.
The Newcastle United midfielder helping his team go two up inside 25 minutes, only for a daft Pellegrini studs-up challenge seeing a red card setback for Italy on 40 minutes.
Having to play for around an hour with 10 men, Italy did really well to end up with a point, as Belgium brought it back to 2-2 with goals on 42 and 61 minutes.
Sandro Tonali one of a number of late substitutions, as the Newcastle star and others taken off so fresh legs could see out the draw.
Ecuador 0 Paraguay 0
A great battling performance, perfectly summed up by Miguel Almiron putting in his usual hard working shift.
Ecuador were fourth in the South American World Cup qualifying group ahead of this match and Paraguay eighth.
The visitors only had two efforts on target but restricted Ecuador to only five of their own, despite the hosts having 15 shots in total and 77% possession. Ecuador making 623 completed passes compared to only 189 for Paraguay.
Paraguay using all of their five subs as they saw out this excellent away draw, Miguel Almiron subbed on 75 minutes after a non-stop performance, playing in a more central free role as he usually does for his country.
Friday 11 October
Slovakia 2 Sweden 2
Both Isak and Dubravka missing of course as they recover from injury. Sweden throwing away a two goal lead and Emil Krafth coming on in the 92nd minute of this Nations League draw, with the score already at 2-2.
England U21s 2 Ukraine U21s 1
The Young Lions dominating the game but Ukraine taking a shock 70th minute lead.
Lewis Hall with another very good display for the Under 21s and he and his teammates celebrating a dramatic win in this U21 Euros group qualifier. Trailing with two minutes to go, James McAtee with two very late goals to give an eventual deserved victory.
Sunday 13 October
Finland 1 England 3
England carrying massive luck with another poor performance.
Three great goals but an unconvincing performance, lucky to be playing such poor opposition as Finland missed some great chances, including an open goal when 1-0 down. England only one up until two late goals in the final 16 minutes
The NUFC trio of Nick Pope, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon all watched this Nations League win from the bench.
Greece 2 Republic of Ireland 0
Newcastle keeper Odysseas Vlachidomos with another very composed performance and clean sheet as Greece stay top of their Nations League group with four wins from four.
Monday 14 October
Italy 4 Israel 1
Sandro Tonali with another superb performance for a resurgent Italy.
The Newcastle United midfielder almost opening the scoring in the 20th minute but his effort well saved.
Tonali then winning the penalty that set his side on their way, with Retegui scoring from the spot on 41 minutes.
Three further second-half goals rubber stamping this victory, with only a consolation goal for the visitors.
Sandro Tonali surviving an injury scare, getting treatment on the pitch but able to continue and playing the full match.
This win ensures Italy stay top of their Nations League group.
Estonia 0 Sweden 3
A commanding victory and Emil Krafth played the full match. The win keeps Sweden top of their Nations League group.
The Newcastle defender playing at right win-back in a 3-5-2 formation.
Tuesday 15 October
Denmark U21s 2 Iceland U21s 0
Will Osula and his international teammates are heading to the 2025 Under 21s Euros finals.
The Newcastle United striker introduced from the bench on 60 minutes with his side 2-0 up, Osula helping them to see the win out, that guaranteed they topped their group and qualified for the finals.
Paraguay v Venezuela (Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Wednesday)
Brazil v Peru (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Wednesday)
England U21s v Azerbaijan U21s (Lewis Hall) U21 Euros group qualifier
Brazil 4 Peru 0
Bruno Guimaraes restored to the starting eleven and putting in an excellent performance in the heart of the midfield.
Two penalties either side of half-time scored by Raphinha and later goals from Andreas Pereira and Luiz Henrique, saw Brazil hammer Peru.
Bruno Guimaraes playing in the deeper role he usually plays for Brazil, doing a lot of the dirty work in midfield and he won 100 percent of his ground duels in a full on performance from the Newcastle United star.
Bruno subbed off on 79 minutes with the scoring complete and the game won, the fifth of five Brazil players subbed off after a big shift from the NUFC man.
Paraguay 2 Venezuela 1
A massive comeback win in this World Cup group qualifier.
A great battling and dominant performance from Paraguay, perfectly summed up by Miguel Almiron putting in his usual hard working shift.
Paraguay conceding on 25 minutes but two second-half goals from Sanabria dramatically turning the game around in the home side’s favour.
Miguel Almiron subbed off in the 89th minute as the Paraguay manager made late subs to help see out the win with fresh legs.

 
