Colombia have made history by defeating Paraguay. Today’s remarkable 44-29 victory sees Colombia winning the inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge, rising in the Americas Rankings, and defeating Paraguay for the first time in history.

The match was the 8th in history between Paraguay and Colombia. The first took place in São Paulo, Brazil in 2004 with Paraguay claiming a 79-7 victory. The following year Paraguay would win 82-8 at home in Asunción.

The matches which followed saw Colombia notably decreasing their losing margin against Paraguay. From 72 points and 78 points in 2004 and 2005 to 53 in 2008, 37 in 2012, 10 in 2013, 12 in 2016, and 2 points earlier this year.

Colombia’s tremendous progress saw Los Tucanes beaten in Asunción in May. It came despite Colombia having held a healthy lead. In the second half Colombia were held scoreless with Paraguay’s Sergio Alvarenga scoring 18 points to complete a come-from-behind victory.

On that day the match was played in Paraguay. Los Yákares also had home advantage in four other of the prior matches before today. Colombia, in contrast had always faced Paraguay either in Asunción or at a neutral venue – Brazil or Venezuela. This changed today with Medellín the setting for Colombia’s biggest rugby achievement in their history.

Colombia’s road to victory took an 80 minute performance. At the game’s midway point Paraguay had a 24-20 lead. Yet the opening scorer was Colombia. Neider García continued his strong Americas Rugby Challenge tournament to score the opening try. José Manuel Diosa converted in the 13th minute.

Paraguay opened their scoring in the 16th minute with a penalty. Two minutes later and they were leading, doing so following a try to Renato Cardona.

Paraguay were not taking their foot off the gas at all as Martín Sitjar made it back-to-back tries to give Paraguay a 19-7 lead after 21 minutes.

Diosa stepped up to get Colombia back into the match. With a drop goal and a penalty it was a six point game. Paraguay would respond in the 36th minute with a converted try before Diosa finished the scoring in the opening half as he converted Colombia’s second try.

Trailing by four points at half time, Colombia weathered the storm to eventually take the lead. After a scoreless period Andrés Álvarez crossed for Colombia in the 56th minute. Diosa added the conversion, giving Los Tucanes a 27-24 lead.

Paraguay hit-back in the 63rd minute. An unconverted try to the impressive Juan González gave Paraguay a two point lead. By now, though, Colombia were on top and playing the better rugby. This was exemplified in the 67th minute by Jorge Álvarez’ try.

With two minutes remaining Los Tucanes were awarded a penalty try and then in the final minute Colombia Made history as Diver Ceballos went over to scoring, thereby confirming Colombia had defeated Paraguay by 44-29.

PARAGUAY VS COLOMBIA RESULTS

2004 Paraguay 79-7 Colombia in São Paulo, Brazil

2005 Paraguay 82-8 Colombia in Asunción, Paraguay

2008 Paraguay 60-7 Colombia in Asunción, Paraguay

2012 Paraguay 54-17 Colombia in Valencia, Venezuela

2013 Paraguay 25-15 Colombia in Asunción, Paraguay

2016 Paraguay 39-27 Colombia in Asunción, Paraguay

2018 Paraguay 28-26 Colombia in Asunción, Paraguay

2018 Colombia 44-29 Paraguay in Medellín, Colombia

SCORING

COLOMBIA 44

Tries – N. García 2 (13’, 37’), A. Álvarez (56’), Jo. Álvarez (67’), Penalty try (78’), D. Ceballos (79’)

Cons – J. Diosa 3/5 (14’, 38’, 57’)

Pens – J. Diosa 1/1 (24’)

Drop goals – J. Diosa 1/1 (31’)

PARAGUAY 29

Tries – R. Cardona (18’), M. Sitjar (21’), M. Garcete (34’), J. Gonzalez (63’)

Cons – S. Alvarenga 3/4 (19’, 22’, 35’)

Pens – S. Alvarenga 1/1 (17’)

TEAMS

COLOMBIA

1 Mauricio Espinal (17 Brayhan Pérez 71’), 2 Diego Posada (16 Jorge Álvarez HT), 3 Andrés Arango (18 Héctor Navarro 48’), 4 Santiago Mejía (19 Danny Giraldo 66’), 5 Jhon Carlos Álvarez (20 Camilo Cadavid 66’), 6 Gerson Ortiz, 7 Diver Ceballos, 8 Sebastián Mejía (capt.), 9 Julián Navarro (21 Alejo Vanegas 74’), 10 José Manuel Diosa, 11 Juan Sebastián Giraldo (23 Emmanuel Bedoya HT), 12 Brayan Campiño, 13 Juan Dávila, 14 Neider García, 15 Andrés Álvarez

Not used: 22 Johan Ortiz

PARAGUAY

1 Santiago Cabrera (17 Juan Inglés 57’), 2 Juan Gavigán (16 César De Brix 61’-64’, 68’), 3 Martín Sitjar (18 Daniel Cabral 64’), 4 Leonardo Glizt (19 Álvaro Báez 64’), 5 Mariano Garcete (20 Alfredo Brusquetti 79’), 6 Enrique Riera, 7 Carlos Plate, 8 Gonzalo Alvarado, 9 Gastón Navas, 10 Sergio Alvarenga, 11 Renato Cardona, 12 Diego Argaña (capt.), 13 Sebastián Urbieta, 14 Fabrizio Cabrera (23 Juan González 57’), 15 Horacio Agüero (22 Mateo Arevalo 75’)

Not used: 21 Héctor Gayoso