Greece vs Paraguay - Friendly Match Preview and Lineups Greece will host Paraguay in a friendly match at Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki on Friday night, marking the hosts' return to competitive action after their disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game will also serve as a preparation fixture for Paraguay, who are set to compete in the tournament for the first time since their 2010 World Cup exit. Greece’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup ended prematurely, as they finished third in UEFA qualifying Group C. After a strong start with a 5-1 victory over Belarus, the team struggled with inconsistency, securing just one win and one draw in their next four matches. This marks the third consecutive World Cup absence for Greece, following their 2014 round-of-16 exit. Coach Ivan Jovanovic aims to reignite hopes with performances in friendlies against Paraguay and Hungary ahead of the UEFA Nations League campaign in September. Paraguay, in contrast, secured automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup by finishing sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying. The team’s campaign included seven wins, seven draws, and four losses across 18 matches, with their last friendly before the tournament being a 2-1 victory over Mexico. Manager Gustavo Alfaro’s squad will look to build momentum from that win as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance since 2010. The match will feature Greece’s top scorer in qualifying, Christos Tzolis, expected to start alongside teenage talent Konstantinos Karetsas on the flank. The defensive line will include Lazaros Rota, Panagiotis Retsos, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, and Konstantinos Tsimikas, with Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal.#greece #ivan_jovanovic #paraguay #stadio_georgios_karaiskaki #gustavo_alfaro
Greece vs Paraguay: Friendly Match Report In a tightly contested friendly encounter, Greece fell to Paraguay 1-0 at the Kallimarmaro Stadium in Athens. The decisive goal came in the 58th minute when Paraguay's Dario Gómez capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball past Greece goalkeeper Georgios Vlachodimos. Match Highlights The match saw both teams testing their tactics and squad depth. Greece, managed by Ivan Jovanović, opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Paraguay, under Gustavo Alfaro, deployed a 4-3-3 system. Greece's attacking trio of Karetsas, Bakasetas, and Douvikas struggled to break down Paraguay's organized defense, which showcased solid midfield control. Key Substitutions Greece made several substitutions in the second half, including introducing Vasilios Pavlidis for Douvikas in the 86th minute. Paraguay also adjusted their lineup, with Gómez and others coming on to freshen the attack. Notably, Gómez received a yellow card in the 78th minute for a challenge on Bakasetas. Team Lineups Greece (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos (GK), Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos, Giannoulis, Kourbelis, Mouzakitis, Tzolis, Karetsas, Bakasetas, Douvikas. Paraguay (4-3-3): Olveira (GK), Alderete, Benítez, Bobadilla, Romero, Gómez, Almirón, Sanabria, and substitutes including Gómez and Almirón. Post-Match Context The result highlights Paraguay's resilience in maintaining their defensive structure, while Greece's inability to create clear chances underscored challenges in their attacking transition. Both teams will likely use the match to fine-tune strategies ahead of upcoming fixtures. This friendly provided a platform for both squads to experiment with formations and player roles, with Paraguay emerging victorious in a closely contested affair.#greece #paraguay #kallimarmaro_stadium #dario_gomez #ivan_jovanovic
