29th June, 2024
Real Madrid star, Vinicius Junior grabbed a brace on Friday as Brazil thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their second match at the ongoing Copa America in the United States.
Having been denied three points in their opening match of the tournament, an attack-minded Brazil again flew out of the traps as Joao Gomes and Lucas Paquetá launched efforts wide inside the opening 10 minutes.
Responding to the nine-time Copa America champions’ blistering start, Paraguay called Alisson into action on the quarter-hour mark as Damian Bobadilla brought a brilliant save from the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Flashscore reports that Brazil spurned a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock in the 31st minute as Paqueta’s attempt at a stuttered run-up to the penalty spot spectacularly backfired with his effort ending up high into the stands, after Andres Cubas was adjudged to have handled an incoming shot in the area.
Nonetheless, the blushes of the West Ham United attacker were spared minutes later, as his exquisite backheeled pass unlocked the Paraguayan defence, allowing Vínicius Junior to run onto and confidently steer the ball underneath the body of the advancing Rodrigo Morinigo and into the back of the net.
Sadly for Paraguay, Brazil confirmed their exit from the 2024 Copa América tournament in a devastating seven-minute spell at the end of a bad-tempered first half.
First, moments after Bruno Guimarães’ thunderous effort had cannoned back off the crossbar, Sávio found himself positioned in the right place at the right time to net his first-ever goal for Brazil.
According to Flashscore, Vínicius then put the contest to bed in the fifth minute of added-time, as a breakdown in defensive communication between Omar Alderete and Morínigo allowed the fortuitous Brazilian to fire the ball home.
Paraguay broke their duck three minutes after the restart as Alderete somewhat redeemed himself with an outstanding strike from distance.
However, Daniel Garnero’s side shot themselves in the foot, as another handball, this time by Mathías Villasanti, led to Paquetá, on this occasion, successfully slotting home his penalty. Already a sinner, Cubas compounded Paraguay’s miserable night in Sin City by being shown a straight red card in the 81st minute.
