Paraguay’s Camila Arrieta nets dramatic late winner against Chile to secure 2027 Pan Am Games spot
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Nayadet Lopez of Chile trying to dispossess Camila Arrieta of Paraguay in their Women's Copa America fifth-place play-off in Quito, Ecuador, on July 28, 2025.
PHOTO: EPA
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A stunning stoppage-time strike from Camila Arrieta handed Paraguay a dramatic 1-0 victory over Chile in the Women’s Copa America fifth-place play-off in Quito on July 28, securing the final berth for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.
The victory sends Paraguay to their fourth Pan Am Games, where they will aim to surpass their best-ever fourth-place finish from Lima 2019.
“It was a difficult match,” the 23-year-old Arrieta said after the game. “We know what Chile are capable of, but we managed to get through the game and we deserved this victory.”
Chile dominated possession but failed to create clear-cut chances, while Paraguay stayed compact and looked threatening on the counter-attack through tournament leading scorer Claudia Martinez.
Just as the match appeared destined for penalties, Arrieta broke the deadlock two minutes into stoppage time, her precise low drive deflecting off the post before nestling into the net to seal a hard-fought triumph.
“I had chances to shoot at goal earlier in the game, but I couldn’t convert them. I kept trying,” she said.
“After all the hard work we’ve put in, this means a lot to us. We’ll prepare as best we can for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Later on July 28, Colombia booked their spot in the Women’s Copa America final, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after edging out Argentina 5-4 in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out following a goal-less first semi-final.
Defending champions Brazil take on Uruguay in the July 29’s second semi-final. REUTERS
