path of Salvador Cabañas who would score Paraguay's second goal. He scored his 24th international goal for Paraguay with a header in a 2–0 home victory in Asunción against Romania on 11 June 2011, a preparation match for the 2011 Copa América. On 7 June 2013, Santa Cruz scored in a 2–1 home defeat against Chile during a 2014 World Cup qualifier. The goal brought his tally to 26 which made him the all-time leading goal scorer of the Paraguay national team's history. Santa Cruz went on to score two more goals (against Bolivia and Argentina) during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, and also served as the national team captain for the last four fixtures of the campaign. On 18 November 2014, Santa Cruz scored in a 2–1 away friendly defeat against Peru in Lima, which took his tally to 30 goals for the national team. 1999 South American Youth Championship Santa Cruz was named in the 20-man squad for Paraguay's 1999 South American Youth Championship in Argentina in January. Santa Cruz scored in Paraguay's first match against Bolivia, levelling the scores at 1–1 in the 69th minute as Paraguay went on to win 2–1 on 8 January. In Paraguay's second game against Brazil, Santa Cruz scored in the first minute of the match which ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw on 10 January. Paraguay finished in first place of their respective group with 10 points, qualifying for the second round of the tournament. In Paraguay's third match of the second ground, Santa Cruz scored in the 66th minute of Paraguay's 3–2 victory against Chile on 21 January. Paraguay finished in fourth place of the second round group stage with eight points and subsequently qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship Santa Cruz was selected by coach Mario Jacquet for the 18-man Paraguay U-20 squad for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in April. Santa Cruz was handed the number 9 shirt. He played a full 90 minutes in Paraguay's group stage opener, a 4–0 loss against Germany on 4 April. In Paraguay's second group stage match, Santa Cruz scored in the 26th minute of Paraguay's 3–1 victory against Costa Rica on 7 April. He was substituted off of the field in the 75th minute for Sergio Fernández. Santa Cruz then played 80 minutes of Paraguay's last group stage match, a 2–1 victory against