Paraguay commemorates 2004 Olympic football silver medal

The Paraguayan national football team's silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics marks the most significant achievement in the country's sporting history. On August 28, 2004, the team secured the silver medal after a campaign that included victories over Japan (4-3), Italy, South Korea (3-1), and Iraq (3-1). Argentina took the gold medal following a goal by Carlos Tévez.

Former coach Carlos Jara Saguier recalled the team's determination to make history. He noted that the journey to Athens coincided with the Ykua Bolaños supermarket fire, a major national tragedy in Paraguay. Saguier stated that he encouraged his players to bring a smile to the nation during such a difficult time, noting, “the boys always had the idea of making history.”