Brazil reassured itself with a victory against Paraguay (4-1) for its second match of the Copa America on Friday in Las Vegas (Nevada, United States), which brings it closer to the quarter-finals.
Things had started badly for the Seleçao, who, after being unable to score against Costa Rica in the opening draw (0-0), began to tremble when Lucas Paqueta sent a penalty to the right of the opposing goal (32nd minute).
Fortunately for Brazil, their new hero Vinicius, a recent Champions League winner with Real Madrid, saved his teammates from brain ache by finishing off a superb team move alone in front of the goalkeeper (35th minute) that he had initiated, with inspired relays from former Lyon players Bruno Guimaraes and Paqueta.
Guimaraes made his mark again 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 fumbled by a defender.
Brazil saw Paraguay come back to 3-1 after the break with a superb strike from Omar Adelete from 25m after a chest control.
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 praised “a great match” by Brazil and criticised the organisation 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 opportunity to finish at the top of the group in the event of a victory against Colombia on Tuesday in Santa Clara (California), while a draw would ensure qualification for the quarterfinals, which they have a good chance of reaching even in the event of defeat, given its very favorable goal difference with Costa Rica.
