Boulter K vs Fernandez L on 21 June
Racing Club claimed its first professional trophy in 21 years by defeating Olimpia 2–1 in the final of the 2026 Clausura tournament. The decisive match took place on Saturday at the Estadio Manuel Ferreira in the heart of the Paraguayan capital. With this victory, the Academia ended a title drought that had lasted since the 2005 Apertura, when they last lifted a league trophy.
Adrián Martínez opened the scoring for Racing in the 34th minute, finishing from inside the box after a precise assist from midfielder Hugo Fernández. Olimpia equalized just before halftime through a header from defender Gustavo Benítez in the 43rd minute, silencing the Racing supporters who had packed the away section. The winning goal arrived in the 72nd minute when striker Fernando Romero converted a penalty kick awarded for a handball inside the Olimpia area.
The victory was especially significant given the context of the season. Racing finished the regular phase in third place, accumulating 42 points across 22 matches. In contrast, Olimpia topped the overall standings with 49 points and entered the final as heavy favorites. However, the Academia built momentum during the playoffs, defeating Cerro Porteño in the semifinals before overcoming the league leaders on their home ground.
This triumph also qualifies Racing for the 2027 Copa Libertadores group stage, marking the club's return to continental competition after a six‑year absence. The team's overall campaign statistics reflect steady improvement throughout the season: 14 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses, with a total of 38 goals scored and 28 conceded.
For Olimpia, this defeat marks their second consecutive finals loss, having also fallen to Libertad in the 2025 Clausura decider. Despite dominating possession with 63 percent and registering 15 shots, they were unable to break down a disciplined Racing defense anchored by veteran center‑back Roberto Rojas. Racing goalkeeper Jonathan Silva earned man‑of‑the‑match honors with six crucial saves, including a penalty stop in the 87th minute that preserved his side’s lead.
Celebrations erupted across the Racing fanbase both inside the stadium and throughout the country, as the club finally returned to the top of Paraguayan football after two decades of waiting.
