Paraguay have always enjoyed a healthy reputation on the South American scene, thanks to their defensive solidity, superb aerial ability and plentiful supply of powerful front-runners. That said, with the exception of Copa America wins in 1953 and 1979, the Albirroja have struggled to convert these undoubted qualities into silverware. After reaching three of the first six FIFA World Cups, they went on to miss the next six in a row. Eventually emerging from the international wilderness in time for Mexico 1986, the feats of Julio Cesar Romero and Roberto Cabanas helped guide Paraguay through the group stages, only to lose 3-0 to England in the second round.