Key Takeaways:
- Japan and Paraguay played to a 2:2 draw in Suita in an international friendly
- Ayase Ueda scored a stoppage-time header to secure the draw for Japan
- Japan will face Brazil and Paraguay meet South Korea on Tuesday as both prepare for the 2026 World Cup
Match Summary
Japan and Paraguay contested a tightly-fought 2:2 friendly in Suita, with both sides displaying attacking prowess. Paraguay twice seized the lead, but Japan fought back on both occasions to avoid defeat.
Goal-by-Goal Breakdown
Miguel Almirón opened the scoring for Paraguay in the 20th minute. However, their lead was short-lived as Koki Ogawa restored parity for Japan just six minutes later, setting the score at 1:1.
The second half saw Paraguay retake the lead in the 64th minute, when Diego Gómez found the net after a well-timed pass from Juan Cáceres. Paraguay held onto their lead until the dying moments of the clash.
As the match entered stoppage time, Ayase Ueda equalised for Japan with a precise header from close range in the fourth minute of added time, ensuring the home side avoided defeat.
| Minute | Team | Scorer | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Paraguay | Miguel Almirón | DamianBobadilla |
| 26 | Japan | Koki Ogawa | Kaishu Sano |
| 64 | Paraguay | Diego Gómez | Juan Cáceres |
| 90+4 | Japan | Ayase Ueda | Junya Ito |
Upcoming Fixtures and World Cup Preparation
Both teams continue their build-up to the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Japan are scheduled to host Brazil in another friendly match on Tuesday, while Paraguay will travel to face South Korea on the same day, further intensifying their preparations for the global tournament.
