Colombia fell to a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in a friendly played on Wednesday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey. Hugo Benítez's 56th-minute goal, following a defensive error, decided a match where Néstor Lorenzo's side dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge.
The result leaves Colombia with one win, three draws and one loss in their last five outings.
Control without a cutting edge
Colombia started with the intention of controlling the game, which they managed for long spells of the first half. Clear chances, however, were scarce. The best opportunity before the break came from a Luis Suárez shot that Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill pushed behind for a corner. Yaser Asprilla also tested from range without truly troubling the keeper.
Paraguay began the second half with more intensity, pressing high and making it difficult for Colombia to build from the back. The pressure paid off. In the 56th minute, a mistake in Colombia's defensive clearance led to a shot that goalkeeper Aldair Quintana, who had earlier received medical treatment for a head injury, saved, but the rebound fell to Hugo Benítez who made no mistake.
Changes and a generational shift
Néstor Lorenzo, recently renewed as head coach, used the match to continue evaluating options for the 2028 Copa América and World Cup qualifying. With the departure of key figures like James Rodríguez and Juan Fernando Quintero, the squad's transition is clear. In attack, young players like Jhon Arias, Gustavo Puerta and Suárez himself, whose club Sporting Lisbon requested limited minutes, were given opportunities.
"Álvaro Montero, who started in the 1-1 draw against Mexico last weekend, will not start," Lorenzo had explained before the game, opting for Kevin Mier in goal. In the second half, the coach brought on Kevin Viveros and Jaminton Campaz for Kevin Angulo and Luis Suárez in search of a reaction, but the equaliser never came.
Colombia resorted to crosses from the flanks in the closing stages, but Paraguay defended their box resolutely to see out the win. The match underlined the need for sharper finishing ahead of the next official challenge. Colombia host Peru on 6 October in another friendly, their final test before resuming their World Cup qualification campaign. All squad information is available on the squad page.
Background and full detail: El Tiempo Deportes
Manager Néstor Lorenzo confirmed he used a three-man defensive scheme against Paraguay. "We had wanted to try this system for a while," Lorenzo said in the post-match press conference. The coach admitted the team struggled with its buildup and generated few scoring chances.
The Colombian Football Federation confirmed that the friendly against Peru on October 6 will be played at the Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida. It will be the first time the national team plays at Inter Miami's home ground. This match will conclude the US tour before the team faces Chile in a double-header in November.
Manager Néstor Lorenzo confirmed the experiment with three defenders went wrong. "The team's offensive development took half an hour," the coach admitted after the 0-1 defeat to Paraguay. The intention to attack down the flanks worked little and the team left many spaces at the back.
