To the rhythm of Vinicius, the great figure of the night in Las Vegas, Brazil changed the image exhibited against Costa Rica, which stole a 0-0 draw in the debut of the Copa América, and this Friday it had no mercy against Paraguay: a rout 4-1 to settle in Group D, one step below Colombia.
Unlike last Monday’s match, in which they missed more than ten clear chances and could not break the walls put up by Gustavo Alfaro, the Scratch was pure forcefulness. He overcame the Guarani gale during the opening half hour (Alisson saved a furious shot from Damián Bodabilla from a corner), found spaces in attack and quickly caused damage.
The first joy could have come from the feet of Lucas Paquetá, but he missed his penalty chance and sparked a murmur from the fans. Although Vinicius quickly changed the sound of the stands: he made a great play, he sneaked into the big area at pure speed and, before goalkeeper Rodrigo Morínigo closed all the paths to the goal, he scored low into the net for the 1 -0.
From that moment on, the Real Madrid star, a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, grew in stature and became a real nightmare for the Albirroja defence. Eight minutes later, his partner Rodrygo broke away down the left flank, dribbled past Gustavo Velázquez and unleashed a left-footed shot that exploded off Morínigo’s gloves. The number 1 was unable to get the ball, Matías Espinoza was unable to clear it either and, on the rebound, Savinho pushed it into the net for 2-0.
With Brazil two goals ahead on the scoreboard, Vini took advantage to show off with footsteps, bicycle kicks and dribbles. These extravaganzas heated up the match and caused Mathías Villasanti and Fabián Balbuena to go into smoke at the forward. Both Paraguayan players received yellow cards, but not the green-yellow number 7, who responded to the shouts and insults with a double.
His second conquest, on the verge of closing the initial stage, came after a rival blooper: like a bomb, the ball floated in the background, Alderete did not clear it, Morínigo did not come out either and the former Flamengo took it for the 3- 0.
In the second half, when it seemed that Brazil was heading for a historic thrashing in the Copa America, Paraguay reduced the deficit with a long-distance goal by Alderete, who redeemed his mistake and tried his best to find a heroic equaliser. But he came up against the sure gloves of Alisson.
Daniel Garnero’s men seemed to be close to 3-2 in Las Vegas, but there was another handball in their own area that referee Piero Maza considered a penalty and all the illusion faded, since Paquetá did not fail again from twelve steps and signed 4-1.
2024-06-29 03:21:48
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