Brazil’s Copa America campaign got off to a shaky start but ultimately ended in a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The pressure was on for the nine-time champions after a disappointing opening draw against Costa Rica, needing a win to maintain control of their group destiny before facing Colombia in their final group-stage encounter.
Early Setbacks and Missed Opportunities:
The first half was not without its frustrations for Brazil. A golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 30th minute went begging when Lucas Paqueta’s well-placed shot from outside the box was adjudged to have been handled by a Paraguayan defender. Unfortunately, Paqueta himself stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort blaze over the bar.
Teamwork and Individual Brilliance Turn the Tide:
However, Brazil didn’t let this setback derail their momentum. Just four minutes later, they displayed the attacking prowess expected of them. A fantastic team move culminated in Paqueta feeding a perfectly weighted pass to Vinicius Jr., who slotted the ball home to open the scoring. This goal seemed to spark the Seleção, and they doubled their lead just before halftime. A defensive lapse by Paraguay presented Savinho, making his first start for Brazil, with a close-range opportunity, and he made no mistake to put Brazil firmly in control.
Vinicius Jr. Shines, Paraguay Briefly Threatens Comeback:
Vinicius Jr., who has struggled to consistently replicate his electric Real Madrid form at the international level, silenced his critics with a clinical second goal just before the half-time whistle. He displayed impressive determination by chasing down a Paraguayan clearance and firing the ball past the helpless goalkeeper, extending Brazil’s lead to a commanding 3-0.
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Paraguay, desperate to avoid starting their Copa America campaign with two defeats, came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Their efforts were rewarded shortly after the break when Omar Alderete unleashed a stunning long-range strike that rocketed past the Brazilian goalkeeper, giving Paraguay a glimmer of hope.
Controversy and Controversy Resolution:
However, Brazil restored their three-goal advantage midway through the second half with another penalty decision that sparked controversy. A Paraguayan defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and this time, Paqueta stepped up confidently to convert the penalty, atoning for his earlier miss.
The closing stages of the match saw tempers flare as frustration grew for Paraguay. Defender Andres Cubas received a red card for a reckless kick-out at Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, further diminishing their chances of mounting a comeback.
Colombia Maintain Perfect Start in Group D:
Elsewhere in Group D, Colombia continued their impressive start to the Copa America with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Liverpool’s Luis Diaz opened the scoring from the penalty spot, followed by a powerful header from former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez just before the hour mark. Jhon Cordoba added the finishing touch with a close-range strike late in the second half. This win puts Colombia in a strong position to secure the top spot in the group if they can avoid defeat against Brazil in their final group-stage encounter.
