Paraguay v Ecuador – Pacho, the PSG wall for his national team: analysis | OneFootball

The South American qualification clash between Paraguay and Ecuador (0-0) did not produce any goals, but it highlighted a remarkable defensive performance by 23-year-old Willian Pacho. The central defender from Paris Saint-Germain, starting for the Ecuadorian team, shone with his calmness and precision in passing, confirming his status as a key player.

Solid Defensive Numbers

Statistically, Pacho delivered an almost perfect performance. With 66 successful passes out of 69 (96%), he was one of the essential links in Ecuador's build-up play. His ability to break the Paraguayan press and find his midfielders relieved his team during tense moments.

His impact was also evident in advanced areas: 2 successful passes in the final third (100%) and 4 successful long passes out of 6 (67%), showing he did not hesitate to seek verticality. Even more impressively, he created a chance (0.04 expected assists), which is rare for a central defender.

On the defensive side, Pacho won 7 duels out of 15 (47%), a decent figure but below his usual standards. However, he compensated with impeccable positioning and several key interceptions, preventing Paraguay from finding spaces in the center.

Analysis of His Influence

Against a tenacious Paraguay driven by the energy of its forwards, Pacho once again demonstrated his maturity and game reading. His precision in passing, combined with great composure under pressure, allowed Ecuador to maintain the clean sheet.

His partnership with Piero Hincapié further showcased their solidity: the two defenders ensured a strong defensive base, leaving very little space in depth.

Conclusion

Even without a victory, Ecuador can be satisfied with Pacho's performance, who is establishing himself as one of the leaders of their defense. For PSG, it's an encouraging sign: defensive solidity also relies on reliable, consistent, and calm players, exactly what the Ecuadorian defender demonstrated that night.

Key Stats of Willian Pacho against Paraguay:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.