Brazil reassured itself with a success against Paraguay (4-1) for its second Copa America match on Friday in Las Vegas (Nevada, United States), which brings it closer to the quarter-finals.
However, things started badly for the Seleçao who, after being unable to score against Costa Rica at the opening of the competition (0-0), began to tremble when Lucas Paqueta sent a penalty to the right of the opposing goal ( 32nd).
Fortunately for Brazil, its new hero Vinicius, recent winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid, saved his teammates from brain knots by completing a superb collective movement alone against the goalkeeper (35th) that he had initiated.
Guimaraes then made his mark with a heavy strike against the bar (43rd). Continuing the action, Girona striker Savio (20 years old) followed up another shot well pushed away by Paraguay goalkeeper Rodrigo Acosta to score his first senior international goal.
A scuffle at the end of the first period was followed by a new goal from Vinicius (45th + 4), taking advantage of a ball messed up by a defender.
Brazil saw Paraguay return to 3-1 after the break with a superb strike from Omar Adelete from 25m after a chest check.
Not cooled by his first missed attempt, Paqueta scored from a second penalty (65th), causing joy in the stands for Neymar, injured and not selected for the competition.
Vinicius hailed “a great match” from Brazil, and criticized the organization of the competition, which is taking place in the United States. “The Copa America is always complicated, between the quality of the pitches, the referees and the way Conmebol treats us,” he said without going into details.
Thanks to this success, Brazil is 2nd in Group D with 4 points, behind Colombia (6 points), winner of Costa Rica (3-0) earlier in the day and therefore qualified for the quarter-finals.
The Seleçao will have the chance to finish top of the group if they beat Colombia on Tuesday in Santa Clara (California), while a draw would ensure they qualify for the quarter-finals, which they have a good chance of achieving even if they lose, given their very favourable goal difference with Costa Rica.
