Only one player in the history of the South American country has managed to surpass the two-goal mark competing in FIFA’s main competition.
If you follow historical football data and tournament statistics, find out who Paraguay’s top scorer in the history of World Cups is: the former striker Nelson Cuevas. Known by the nickname “Pipino”, the player adds three goals in the competitionnoted in the 2002 (South Korea and Japan) and 2006 (Germany) editions. He surpassed several legends of Paraguayan football and, to this day, he reigns alone at the top of this list of goalscorers.
Nelson Cuevas’ consecration in the second half
Cuevas’ absolute record is even more impressive when we analyze his tactical role in the team: he was often used in the final stages of matches. The striker built his historic brand by acting as a true talisman of Albirroja.
In the 2002 edition, Paraguay needed to beat Slovenia by a difference of at least two goals in the last round of the group stage to advance to the round of 16. Cuevas entered the field in the second half and scored two crucial goalsguaranteeing the heroic 3-1 victory. Four years later, in the 2006 German Cup, the striker shone again when he scored the final goal in the 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, closing his personal account in the world cups.
The elite squad with two goals scored
Below Nelson Cuevas’ isolated top, there is a sixfold tie for second place. Several historic stars of the Paraguayan team managed to swing the nets twice in the FIFA tournament, including highlights from the 1958 and 1986 campaigns.
See how the rankings turned out players with the most goals for Paraguay in the competition:
1. Nelson Cuevas (3 goals)
The skilled winger is the isolated leader of the rankingadding his decisive goals as a substitute in the 2002 and 2006 editions.
2. Roberto Cabañas (2 goals)
The late striker scored his two goals in the Mexico Cup in 1986, with great prominence in the draw against Belgium in the group stage.
3. Julio César Romero “Romerito” (2 goals)
An idol in Brazil, the attacking midfielder punished defenses of Iraq and Mexicoalso leaving his mark twice in the 1986 edition.
4. Florencio Amarilla (2 goals)
Competing in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the left winger established himself as one of the main offensive highlights of the Paraguayan national team.
5. Jorge Lino Romero (2 goals)
Amarilla’s 1958 strike partner, Romero also noted two goals in the strong group which included European powers such as France and Yugoslavia.
6. José Parodi (2 goals)
Another member of the classic 1958 generation who left his signature on double dose on European lawns.
7. Juan Bautista Agüero (2 goals)
Closing the historic quartet of the 1958 edition, Agüero confirmed the strength of the attack at the time and also hit the net twice.
(Historical note: Dozens of renowned athletes in the sport, such as defenders Celso Ayala and Francisco Arce, in addition to attackers Roque Santa Cruz and José Cardozo, have just one goal scored in the history of the World Cup).
The challenge for the new Paraguayan generation
The Paraguayan team was left out of the most recent editions of the World Cup after recording its best campaign in South Africa in 2010 (reaching the quarter-final stage). Now, with planning focused on South American qualifiersthe responsibility of seeking new records falls on the squad assembled by coach Gustavo Alfaro.
Young talents who play in European football, such as Julio Enciso e Diego Gómezadded to experienced pieces such as Miguel Almirontake on the great challenge of putting Paraguay back on football’s biggest stage. If the country confirms the return to the tournament, these athletes will have the unprecedented chance to reach or even break the historical mark of Nelson Cuevas.
The fact that the top scorer crown belongs to a player who made history coming off the bench reinforces the FIFA tournament unpredictability. While a new top scorer does not emerge, the record of the legendary “Pipino” remains intact in the annals of South American sport.
