Balbuena helps Paraguay retain unbeaten record in Bolivia draw

Fabian Balbuena in action against Bolivia


Fabian Balbuena played the 90 minutes as Paraguay maintained their unbeaten start to their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 2-2 draw against Bolivia on Tuesday night.

The West Ham United defender earned his 16th senior cap for La Albirroja in Asuncion, as both teams exchanged the lead in an entertaining affair.

Paraguay moved in front first, Angel Romero stroking home a 19th minute penalty, only for Marcelo Moreno to level four minutes before the break.

Boris Cespedes then made it even better for his side with their second on the stroke of half-time, but Paraguay came out strongly after the break to ensure they would gain a share of the spoils.

New York Red Bulls forward Kaku notched the important equaliser 18 minutes from time, meaning his team now have a win and three draws from their opening four qualifiers.

Their six-point haul leaves them fourth in the table at this early stage of the qualification process.

The ten South American nations play each other twice in their World Cup qualifiers, with the top four sides heading to the finals automatically, and the fifth facing a play-off.