Paraguay at the Copa América

The Copa América is South America's major tournament in senior men's football and determines the continental champion.

[1] Paraguay can historically be considered South America's 'Best of the Rest' as they are ranked fourth in the Copa Américas All-Time table behind CONMEBOL's big three: Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Even the 'Golden Generation', which continually qualified and produced good results at the FIFA World Cups from 1998–2010, never advanced beyond the quarter-finals at a Copa América until reaching the final once in 2011.

In the 1949 play-off, Brazil thrashed Paraguay 7–0 on home soil, taking revenge for the group match defeat along with tournament victory.

In total, Paraguay had to play nine matches to be crowned champions, a tournament record tied with Peru, who went through a similar ordeal four years earlier.

Midfielder Manuel Fleitas Solich appeared in five South American Championships in the 1920s as a player and led Paraguay to their first title in 1953 as coach.
Defender Heriberto Herrera played an integral part of the 1953 tournament winning squad. He is the only Paraguayan to be honoured as player of the tournament.
Players of Olimpia celebrating the victory of the 1979 Copa Libertadores . It was the first time the tournament was won by a Paraguayan club and a large block of players was part of the national squad that won the Copa América the same year. Integral players were Carlos Kiese , Flaminio Sosa and Roberto Paredes , among others.