Paraguay took Damián Bobadilla off and sent on Mauricio in the second half against the United States on June 13, 2026, in the opening match of Group D at the 2026 World Cup. The change came as Paraguay looked for a way back into a game the Americans had already taken control of.
Bobadilla’s exit was one of Paraguay’s adjustments after a first half in which the United States were described as overwhelmingly superior. Until the 38th minute, the Americans had 75% possession, a stretch that left Paraguay chasing the match rather than shaping it.
That is why Bobadilla’s substitution mattered in the moment: Paraguay was not making a luxury change, but a response to being badly outplayed. Mauricio, a Palmeiras player from Brazil, came on as the team tried to steady itself, even though the balance of the match had already tilted sharply toward the United States.
The move also underlined how little room Paraguay had to breathe in its opener. The team was still being asked to adjust while the U.S. kept the ball and controlled the pace, and the report does not say whether Bobadilla’s removal changed anything after that. What is clear is that Paraguay’s first major answer to the pressure was to turn to Mauricio, leaving the reason for taking Bobadilla off unspoken.
