- Vinícius Júnior scored for the first time at CONMEBOL Copa América™ in his career.
- Brazil climbs the Group D standings with an eye on a spot in the Quarterfinals.
Highlights
- Vinícius Júnior scored twice: it is the first time he has achieved this feat for the Brazilian national team.
- Canarinho thrilled with a partial 3-0 victory at half-time.
- Lucas Paquetá missed a penalty and converted another at Allegiant Stadium.
- Second defeat keeps Paraguay without points at the end of two rounds.
Match recap
Brazil started the match wanting to forget their debut in which they failed to score a goal. In the 2nd minute, Vinícius took off on the left and crossed, but Lucas Paquetá could not finish in the area, a move that set the tone for the first moments. The Canarinho had more possession of the ball but could not finish their chances , while Paraguay sought to surprise on the counterattacks.
On the other side, La Albirroja gained confidence after an early push and tried to equalize the Brazil's attacking actions: Enciso tried to surprise Alisson in the 9th minute, after a quick corner kick, and Bobadilla forced the Brazilian goalkeeper to intervene in a good shot from outside the area. It was the beginning of a sequence of dangerous chances on both sides. Marquinhos rose high from a corner kick (in the 22nd minute) and headed it high, and Bobadilla had another chance on a ball that was left inside the area, but finished weakly for Alisson's defense.
In the 30th minute, Dorival Júnior's team had its big chance when Paquetá shot and the ball caught Cubas' arm inside the area. The number 8 presented himself for the kick, but sent it to the right of Morínigo's goal. Brazil was unfazed and, in the 35th minute, a great exchange of passes in the best Jogo Bonito style ended with Vinícius Júnior clearing his marker and shooting low to make it 1-0. Then, Rodrygo made a great move and shot hard to force a save from the Paraguayan goalkeeper – on the left, Savinho was more shrewd to finish and extend the score.
In the final stretch, the Paraguayans tried to respond with a shot by Enciso that deflected off Villasanti and went out of the air, but the Brazilian team's momentum was better. Bruno Guimarães hit the crossbar with a powerful shot and then Rodrygo and Vinícius doubled the mark on Alderete, who allowed the number 7 to finish in the small area and score his second goal, Brazil's third of the night.
On the way back from the break, Paraguay tried to react: Alderete took advantage of a long-range chance and shot low into Alisson's corner to reduce the deficit. Not long after, Enciso made an individual move down the left and placed a great shot, forcing the Brazilian goalkeeper to make another good save. But Brazil responded with another chance from the penalty spot on another handball decideded by Piero Maza. Paquetá came back for the kick, and this time he didn't waste it: 4-1.
The game remained under Brazil's control until the end of the 90 minutes, with a few chances coming from both sides and a red card given to Andrés Cubas in the final stretch.
Watch the goals and match highlights from Paraguay 1-4 Brazil:
What's next?
Brazil will face Colombia in the third and final round of Group D at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday, July 2. The match takes place simultaneously with the game between Costa Rica and Paraguay, at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
For the Brazilian team, a mere draw in the next match guarantees qualification to the Quarterfinals – check out the possible scenarios for qualification. Paraguay is eliminated.
Lineups & Info
Brazil: Rodrigo Moríñigo; Gustavo Velázquez; Fabián Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Matías Espinoza; Andrés Cubas, Mathias Villasanti, Damián Bobadilla; Julio Enciso, Miguel Almirón, Alex Arce.
Substitutes used: Kaku, Néstor Giménez, Adam Bareiro, Hernesto Caballero, Ramón Sosa.
Cards: Fabián Balbuena (yellow), Andrés Cubas (red), Hernesto Caballero (yellow).
Coach: Daniel Garnero.
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Éder Militão, Wendell; João Gomes, Bruno Guimarães, Savinho, Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior; Rodrygo.
Substitutes used:: Douglas Luiz, Raphinha, Andreas Pereira, Endrick, Gabriel Magalhães.
Cards: Lucas Paquetá (yellow), Wendell (yellow), Vinícius Júnior (yellow).
Coach: Dorival Júnior.
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Goals: 35' Vinícius Jr. (Brazil), 43' Savinho (Brazil), 45+5' Vinícius Jr. (Brazil), 48' Omar Alderete (Paraguay), 65' Lucas Paquetá – penalty kick (Brazil)
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
Venue: Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nevada
