Paraguay vs Nicaragua

Paraguay swept aside Nicaragua 4-0 in Asunción, a commanding warm-up win tinged with concern after Julio Enciso hobbled off in tears with a muscle scare in the 24th minute. Alejandro Romero Gamarra opened from the spot in the 16th minute after a penalty award, with Miguel Almirón doubling the lead on the counterattack before halftime (41'). Matías Galarza capitalised on a goalkeeper spill for the third (61'), and Rodrigo Maidana added a fourth with a cross finish five minutes later. The match was also briefly halted in the ninth minute when a dog wandered onto the pitch — a lighthearted interruption in an otherwise one-sided affair. For Paraguay, it marked a milestone under coach Gustavo Alfaro — their first time scoring more than two goals in a game under him — with their World Cup Group D opener against the United States now just days away. Nicaragua were outclassed and head home with plenty to reflect on.