Vinícius Júnior showcased his prowess with a brace in the first half, propelling Brazil to a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the Copa America.
Brazil’s coach, Dorival Júnior, praised Vinícius’s performance, describing it as nearly flawless and dynamic.
Sávio added another goal in the first half, while Lucas Paquetá sealed the win with a penalty kick in the second half.
Paraguay’s lone goal came from Omar Alderete amidst a match filled with tension, marked by five yellow cards and a red card shown to Andres Cubas in the 81st minute, reducing Paraguay to ten men.
The victory was a strong response from the Seleção after their scoreless draw against Costa Rica earlier in the tournament.
Dorival Júnior acknowledged the disappointment of their opening result but emphasized the team’s progress and unity in a short span of time.
With four points, Brazil now sit two points behind group leaders Colombia. A positive result against Colombia in their next match guarantees Brazil a spot in the knockout stage, thanks to their superior goal difference over Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Paraguay, despite their efforts, will not progress further in the tournament, prompting coach Daniel Garnero to confront questions about the team’s ongoing challenges.
Paraguay, a two-time Copa America winner, last claimed the title in 1979.
Historically, Brazil has struggled against Paraguay in Copa America encounters, having drawn their previous five meetings.
However, Brazil’s recent dominance was evident, building on their 4-0 victory in their last encounter two years ago during World Cup qualifying.
The match saw moments of contention, including a scuffle before halftime that resulted in multiple cards, highlighting the intensity on the field.
Despite Paraguay’s efforts, including more shots on goal than Brazil, they couldn’t overturn Brazil’s lead.
Looking ahead, Brazil’s decision not to start Raphinha, despite Neymar’s absence, proved effective. Raphinha came on as a substitute in the second half, contributing to Brazil’s control of the game until the final whistle.
