Paraguay came away with a 1-0 win over Colombia in the friendly match in New Jersey, and the difference was Hugo Benitez’s quick reaction for the only goal of the game. It was a tight contest at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with Colombia continuing to push late on but unable to turn pressure into an equaliser.
Benitez makes the decisive moment count
The key moment arrived in the second half, when Benitez reacted first to the rebound and put Paraguay ahead. In a match that never opened up fully, that was enough for La Albirroja to take the result, while La Tricolor were left frustrated by their inability to finish when it mattered most.
Colombia tried to find a response in the closing stages, but Paraguay stayed organised and protected the lead. The match also carried its share of late tension, with Gustavo Gomez booked in the 91st minute as Paraguay saw out the final moments.
Late Colombia pressure comes too late
Nestor Lorenzo made two changes in the final stages as Colombia looked for a way back into the game. One of the substitutions saw Camilo Duran replace Jhon Adolfo Arias in the 88th minute, but the shift in personnel did not produce the breakthrough Colombia needed.
That left Paraguay to close out the evening with a narrow but valuable road win. For Colombia, the story was familiar: enough possession and late intent to ask questions, but not enough sharpness in the final touch. In a one-goal friendly, that single finish from Hugo Benitez proved decisive.
