Miguel Almiron goal helps deliver massive World Cup qualifying group result | OneFootball

Miguel Almiron with another massive game, coming into this key World Cup qualifying group away to Bolivia, on the back of that stunning 2-1 win over World Cup winning and group leaders, Argentina.

Paraguay knowing that defeat would enable Bolivia to close within a point of them, with Miguel Almiron and Paraguay sitting in the sixth and final automatic qualifying place in the group.

A night of high drama, as Bolivia twice led, only for Paraguay to fight back on both occasions.

Bolivia taking the lead on 15 minutes and appearing to be heading for a huge win, only for Miguel Almiron with a cool finish (watch it below) to pull it back to 1-1 on 71 minutes.

Then after Bolivia had scored a penalty nine minutes later to go back in front, Brighton striker Enciso scored in added time to give Paraguay a very significant point.

Miguel Almiron subbed off with four minutes of normal time remaining.

This now giving them a great chance of heading to the World Cup finals in 2026 with 12 of the 18 group matches played.

The top six in the group qualify after the 18 rounds of matches, the seventh goes into a play-off for a possible extra spot at the finals. As you can see, defeat would have seen these November internationals end with Paraguay on 16 points, only one ahead of Bolivia.

Instead, Miguel Almiron and his teammates are four points clear of seventh and with their next game at home to second bottom Chile, a win in that March 2025 match would surely give Paraguay one foot into a final successful qualification, with then only five games left to play.

Trying to reach these 2026 World Cup finals in Mexico, USA and Canada, we saw Paraguay pick up only five points in their opening six World Cup qualifying group matches and only scored once in their first seven group matches.

Now they are undefeated in their last six and have picked up 12 points in these matches, as well as scoring seven goals in their last five games.

Their last three home matches have seen Paraguay beat Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. Plus away draws against Uruguay, Ecuador and Bolivia.

If you want to go straight to the Miguel Almiron goal, it is at 5.30 on the video highlights below.

This is the November 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 14 November

Greece 0 England 3

Anthony Gordon was one of eight changes, some due to the ‘injury’ desertions from the squad, some not. Harry Kane dropped and England looking all the better for it, as his replacement Ollie Watkins scored after only seven minutes in a flowing move.

United keeper Vlachodimos was probably Greece’s best player with some good saves and was very unlucky when Bellingham’s shot hit the post and rebounded off the keeper into the net. England though fully deserving of their eventual 3-0 winning margin, Jones scoring a sublime backheel flick for the third. Tino Livramento was an unused sub but Lewis Hall made his first England appearance, playing the second half and looking very good, the team looking far better balanced with him on the left. Everybody played well really, including Anthony Gordon, he played until 66 minutes in when Carsley made three attacking changes.

Belgium 0 Italy 1

Sandro Tonali man of the match and scoring the winning goal!

An excellent performance from the Newcastle midfielder as Italy deservedly won this Nations League group match. Sandro Tonali playing the full game.

Venezuela 1 Brazil 1

Bruno Guimaraes couldn’t quite drag Brazil over the line in this South American World Cup group qualifier.

Brazil dominated the first half with the Newcastle midfielder at the heart of much of their best play, however, the attacking players once again let them down. Chance after chance went begging until Raphinha scored an excellent free-kick in the 43rd minute.

One up at half-time but it should have been two or three, Brazil paying for it when Segovia equalised just a minute after the break. Bruno Guimaraes subbed in the 82nd minute and can be more than happy with his own personal contribution but this is a match that Brazil should have won.

Paraguay 2 Argentina 1

This was no fluke, as Miguel Almiron and Paraguay deservedly won their latest South American World Cup group qualifier.

When Martinez put Argentina ahead after only 11 minutes it looked like a long night in prospect for the home side.

However, Paraguay came back at them and a brilliant Sanabria overhead kick levelled things on 19 minutes, then a headed winner from a free-kick by Alderete won it, two minutes after the break. After that opening goal, Paraguay didn’t allow Argentina another shot on target in the entire match.

Miguel Almiron was his usual energetic self for Paraguay and put in a great shift, eventually subbed off in the 90th minute as Paraguay ran the clock down.

Saturday 16 November

Sweden 2 Slovakia 1

A man of the match performance from Alexander Isak, topped off by an assist for the opening goal (scored by Gyokeres) and then scoring the winner just after the break. Martin Dubravka can be happy with his own personal contribution and he was one of Slovakia’s best performers. The result guarantees that Sweden finish top of their Nations League group and Slovakia second, the final group games on Tuesday.

Sunday 17 November

England 5 Republic of Ireland 0

A great night for Newcastle United, as Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento all started for England, the first time in over 27 years that an NUFC trio all started for the Three Lions.

All three Newcastle players can be pleased with their contributions to this Nations League victory. The two Newcastle defenders getting their very first starts, whilst Anthony Gordon getting his very first goal, which came from a Tino cross.

With five wins it meant England topped their Nations League group.

Italy 1 France 3

Sandro Tonali and his teammates undone by three set-pieces in this Nations League defeat. The result left Italy second top in the final table, the same number of points as France and equal on head to head, just losing out on goal difference by one goal.

A disappointing return to the San Siro for the NUFC midfielder but with all five subs used, Sandro Tonali stayed on until the end, pointing to the fact he hadn’t been one of the weakest links. Italy actually had more possession (54%) and more shots (10 v 6) but were undone by those set-pieces, France having four efforts on target and managing to score three goals.

Finland 0 Greece 2

Odyssea Vlachodimos and his Greek teammates knew they had to get a better result than England to top their Nations League group. The Newcastle keeper did his bit with a tenth clean sheet in his last 15 internationals and his teammates got two second half goals to ensure the win in Helsinki. However, England winning 5-0 at Wembley meant it was all in vain, both sides ending the group on 15 points but England a better head to head record.

Tuesday 19 November

Brazil 1 Uruguay 1

Bruno Guimaraes starting for Brazil in this World Cup group qualifier but a frustrating night as a win would have taken them second in the table.

It could have been even worse as despite Brazil dominating possession, shots, corners etc etc, Uruguay took the lead on 55 minutes through Federico Valverde. Seven minutes later, Bruno’s midfield partner Gerson produced a thunderbolt that rescued a point for Brazil.

Once again the Brazil forwards in front of Bruno badly misfiring, only three of Brazil’s 18 shots were on target.

Sweden 6 Azerbaijan 0

Alexander Isak and his international teammates topping their Nations League group in style.

However, somehow the Newcastle United striker failing to register a goal or assist in this match, despite having been in such devastating form, scoring in his last five matches for club and country.

Playing the full game, the double insult on top of all this, was seeing VAR rule an Isak strike out for a marginal offside decision at 3-0, then quickly followed by the Newcastle striker seeing his penalty saved. Sometimes it just isn’t your night.

Slovakia 1 Estonia 0

Slovakia’s win saw them finish second in the group, three points behind Sweden. However, Martin Dubravka nowhere to be seen, not in the starting eleven and missing from the bench.

Bolivia 2 Paraguay 2

A night of high drama, as Bolivia twice led, only for Paraguay to fight back on both occasions.

Miguel Almiron with a cool finish to pull it back to 1-1 on 71 minutes. Then after Bolivia had scored a penalty nine minutes later to go back in front, Brighton striker Enciso then scored in added time to give Paraguay a very significant point. This now giving them a great chance of heading to the World Cup finals in 2026 with 12 of the 18 group matches played.