Chile began their Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with a resounding 64-0 victory over Paraguay, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes. Wearing their alternate blue jerseys, Los Cóndores showcased an impressive performance.
Initially, Chile struggled to gain momentum as Paraguay’s defense held strong near their try zone. The first try came after 12 minutes when scrum-half Benjamín Videla passed to debutant Nicolás Saab. Saab made a powerful run from inside Chilean territory to score.
Chile’s success at the breakdown resulted in several penalties, allowing them to extend their lead. Augusto Bohme scored the second and third tries, both following lineout to maul moves. His second try was inches from the touchline. Santiago Videla converted to put Chile ahead 21-0 after 25 minutes.
The fourth try was a highlight-worthy moment. Clemente Armstrong broke through the defense, shaking off Gianfranco Parodi and cutting inside Arturo López. Shortly after, Selknam captain Clemente Saavedra drove low to score another try for the forwards.
Paraguay’s high penalty count led to a warning from the officials. Hooker Jordi Chavez received a yellow card at 38 minutes for infringing on the rules. Just before halftime, Chile scored their sixth try when Raimundo Martínez crossed the line following a quick lineout. The conversion attempt was wide, as was the next after Domingo Saavedra linked up with Santiago Videla for another try.
Nicolás Garafulic pushed Chile past the 50-point mark with an impressive over-the-head offload from Domingo Saavedra. Although Santiago Videla missed the conversion, he later found success with a kick nine minutes from the end after debutant and man of the match Ernesto Tchimino broke through for another score. Marcelo Torrealba added a final try as time expired, capping off a strong performance for the Chilean side.
With this win, Chile is in a favorable position ahead of their upcoming match against Brazil. The winner of the Chile vs. Brazil game on October 6 will advance to the final round alongside Uruguay. The remaining teams will compete in the Sudamericano 2025 to determine the South America 1 qualifier for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
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