Rugby World Cup hopefuls rock established order with huge upset win

Paraguay pulled off one of the greatest upsets in recent memory as the Yakarés beat Brazil 39–19 in the opening leg of the World Rugby repechage qualifier. The last time the sides met, the Tupís ran out 77–17 winners at São Paulo’s Estadio Nicolau Alayon.

After two tumultuous weeks in which the Brazilian union dismissed head coach Emiliano Caffera, the Tupís now look on the verge of missing their main objective for the season – qualification for the World Rugby repechage.

At the Estadio Héroes de Curupayty, the hosts struck first following a brilliant break from wing Juan Gonzalez that took Paraguay deep into Brazil’s 22, with prop Enrique Quinteros diving over for the try. Fly-half Sebastián Urbieta landed the first of his six successful kicks.

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Brazil responded strongly and found a way into the opposition’s 22 ten minutes later. Lucas Tranquez intercepted and sprinted towards the in-goal area before sending centre João Amaral over for the visitors’ opening try.

Although the Yakarés added three more points, Brazil enjoyed a dominant 20-minute spell, scoring two further tries and building a nine-point lead. But the hosts hit back, and after forcing Brazil down to 14 men, lock Juan José Heisecke Schauman powered over from a driving maul to narrow the gap to two points just before the break.

When many expected Brazil to take control after the restart, it was Paraguay who dominated, pinning their rivals deep inside their own territory for most of the second half.

The Yakarés’ set-piece dictated the tempo, draining the life out of the Brazilian pack, who had no response.

In quick succession, the hosts added two more tries, a conversion and a penalty to retake the lead. With Urbieta contributing five points from the tee and flanker Francisco Barreiro and replacement prop Gaston Salvi each crossing, Paraguay led 32–19 with eight minutes remaining.

The Tupís had no answer to Paraguay’s momentum and conceded a final try — again to front-rower Salvi.

As referee Francisco González blew for full time, Paraguayan fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate their most significant win over Brazil since 2005 — and their first victory of any kind since 2015.

The two sides will meet again at Estadio Du Cambusano next Saturday to conclude the World Rugby repechage qualifier, with Paraguay heading to Brazil holding a 20-point advantage.