The national team of Chile will welcome Paraguay once again at the iconic Colo Colo venue, as teams meet in a friendly match to sharpen preparations ahead of the upcoming World Cup cycle.
Scheduled for Monday, March 27, the Chilean squad will implement its plan to return to the world stage, aligning with the broader South American qualifying campaign that starts in September. This engaging fixture serves as a crucial build-up for both sides before the intense journey through the regional qualifiers.
The match will be staged at the Monumental Stadium, a choice influenced by ongoing renovations at the Nacional and the need to accommodate the schedule for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Additionally, work at San Carlos de Apoquindo, the training home for four of La Roja’s most recent home matches, has shaped the decision to relocate this friendly to Macul.
Precedents in Chile-Paraguay friendlies surface frequently in the record, reflecting a competitive history that fans have followed for years.
When did Chile last play a match at the Monumental?
Chile has not hosted a game at the Macul venue since September 2, 2021, during the ninth matchday of the Qatar 2022 qualifying rounds. On that occasion, the Chilean side, coached by Martín Lasarte, fell to Brazil by a single goal. Everton Ribeiro provided the decisive strike, and the lineup featured a familiar mix of veterans and emerging talents, including Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel, Gary Medel, Guillermo Maripán, Mauricio Isla, Aránguiz, Pulgar, Vidal, Mena, Vargas, and Morales.
Following that match, Chile bounced back with wins against Paraguay and Venezuela at the same venue, while losses mounted against Ecuador and Argentina in other home settings. The last home appearance before that sequence came on March 29, 2022, when Chile suffered a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay on the final date of the pre-World Cup phase.
La Roja’s path toward the World Cup
As the team charts its course toward the global finals, coaches and players emphasize a steady blend of defensive solidity, midfield control, and evolving attacking options. The friendly against Paraguay offers an opportunity to test tactical ideas, integrate newer players, and build cohesion ahead of the demanding schedule that follows. The nationwide preparation plans place emphasis on conditioning, match intelligence, and collective decision-making, all aimed at maximizing performance when the qualifiers resume in the autumn.
Historically, matches between Chile and Paraguay have provided a mix of tight midfield battles and moments of individual brilliance. The upcoming encounter at the Monumental is viewed as a valuable step in ensuring the squad remains adaptable, mentally composed, and ready to challenge the strongest teams in the region. This preparation phase is also about instilling confidence among supporters and ensuring the depth of the squad is leveraged effectively across the campaign.
Note: this summary follows the latest available preparations and match tracking from sources covering Chilean football and regional qualifiers. (Goal)