- In an emotional match, Venezuela claimed the win by turning the game around in the final minutes.
- This is how Group B kicked off.
Venezuela had finished 10th in the last CONMEBOL Copa América Fútbol Playa™, held in 2023 in Rosario. At the start of the 2025 edition, being played in Iquique, they achieved a huge victory against Paraguay.
La Vinotinto started strong with a 1-0 lead but then trailed 1-3. They fought back to go up 4-3, only to fall behind 4-5 with just a few minutes left against Paraguay. To make things worse, their captain Betancourt was sent off in the third period, leaving them a man down for two minutes.
However, in just three minutes, they turned it around: Rosdel Ramos equalized with a lucky clearance, Enderson Ramos put Venezuela ahead, and Vaamonde sealed a massive win for Xan Lamigueiro’s team.
Venezuela's goalkeepers also played a key role: Duque provided excellent distribution with his feet, while Rober Pérez saved a penalty from Morán in the second period.
Venezuela will face Brazil in the second round, while Paraguay will have a bye on Sunday, February 23.
Lineups
Venezuela (7): 12-Vicente Duque, 2-Aníbal Rivera, 3-José Betancourt (Captain), 7- Alexander Vaamonde, 8- Carlos Pérez.
Substitutes: 1- Robert Pérez, 4- Fausto Escobar Salazar, 5- Rosdel Ramos, 6- Jeyker Rivero, 9- José Semprún, 10- Enderson Ramos, 11- César Pinto.
Coach: Xan Lamigueiro.
Paraguay (5): 12- Yoao Rolón, 2- Sixto Cantero, 6- Pedro Morán, 8- Carlos Carballo (Captain), 11- Mathías Martínez.
Substitutes: 1- Carlos Adrián Ovelar Morinigo, 3- Thiago Barrios, 4- Jhovanny Benítez, 5- Amado Rolón, 7- Milciades Medina, 9- Néstor Medina, 10- Valentín Benítez.
Coach: Joaquín Molas.
Goals
First Period: 2’ Fausto Escobar (V), 4’ Néstor Medina (P), 5’ Néstor Medina (P), 6’ Valentín Benítez (P), 8’ Robert Pérez (V), Carlos Pérez (V), 10’ José Semprún (V), 11’ Jeyker Rivero (own goal) (P).
Second Period: None.
Third Period: 2’ Mathías Martínez (P), 10’ Rosdel Ramos (V), 11’ Enderson Ramos (V), 12’ Alexander Vaamonde (V).
Cards
Second Period: 10’ Yellow card for Carballo (P).
Third Period: 1’ Yellow card for Betancourt (V), 6’ Second Yellow (Red) for Betancourt (V), 10’ Yellow card for Medina (P).
Main referee: Aecio Andrés Fernández Machado (Uruguay).
