FIFA U-17 World Cup

Quinonez heads Paraguay past Italy

Paraguay bounce back to surprise Italy 2-1
La Albirrojita finish first in Group F
Sets up Paraguay-Argentina, Italy-Ecuador in Round of 16

Junior Quinonez's headed goal in the 52nd minute earned Paraguay a 2-1 triumph over Italy in Brasilia on Sunday at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™. Falling behind only three minutes into their Group F finale, La Albirrojita climbed back into the match with goals in either half, then defended furiously to cement a first-place finish in the group with seven points. Italy fell to second place, and both sides will contest their last-16 ties on Thursday in Vitoria.

Italy

With their place in the knockout phase already secure, head coach Carmine Nunziata opted for nine changes to the lineup that defeated Mexico on Thursday. Lorenzo Pirola scored with his head three minutes from the starting whistle, and the Italians were in command for the opening half-hour. But Paraguay were able to wrestle control away from Gli Azzurrini, and their resulting defeat means they'll take on Ecuador next.

Paraguay

Shaken by Italy's quick goal, it took Paraguay time to find stability in the opening period. Slowly their muscular midfield began to win more battles, and by the end of the first half they were on the front foot. In the 37th minute, Diego Duarte netted his second goal of Brazil 2019 to equalise. Later Quinonez, the tallest player on the pitch, rose to connect with Fabrizio Peralta's corner-kick and directed a looping header into the net from 15 yards. As group winners, Paraguay will square off with South American neighbours Argentina on Thursday.

Up next

Round of 16
Ecuador-Italy (7 November, Vitoria/Cariacica, 16:30 local time)
Paraguay-Argentina (7 November, Vitoria/Cariacica, 20:00 local time)

Diego Duarte of Paraguay U-17 celebrates a scored goal

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Diego Duarte of Paraguay celebrates a scored goal during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Lorenzo Pirola of Italy U-17 celebrates a scored goal

03 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL NOVEMBER 03: Lorenzo Pirola of Italy celebrates a scored goal during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Diego Duarte of Paraguay U-17 reacts to scoring a goal

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Diego Duarte of Paraguay reacts during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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View of the dressing room of Paraguay U-17

03 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: View of the dressing room of Paraguay team prior to the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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View of the dressing room of Italy U-17

03 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: View of the dressing room of Italy team prior to the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Players of Paraguay U-17 celebrate the victory over Italy

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Players of Paraguay celebrate the victory after the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Diego Duarte of Paraguay U-17 celebrates a scored goal

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Diego Duarte of Paraguay celebrates a scored goal during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Diego Duarte of Paraguay U-17 celebrates a scored goal with his teammates

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Diego Duarte of Paraguay celebrates a scored goal with his teammates during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Riccardo Boscolo of Italy U-17 struggles for the ball with Basilio Duarte of Paraguay U-17

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Riccardo Boscolo of Italy struggles for the ball with Basilio Duarte of Paraguay during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi of Italy U-17 struggles for the ball with Rolando Ortiz of Paraguay U-17

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi of Italy struggles for the ball with Rolando Ortiz of Paraguay during the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Junior Quinonez of Paraguay U-17 celebrates the victory over Italy

04 Nov 2019

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Junior Quinoñez of Paraguay celebrates the victory after the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup Brazil 2019 group F match between Italy and Paraguay at Valmir Campelo Bezerrao Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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