Vinicius Junior performed a starring position as Brazil kick-started their Copa America marketing campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over 10-man Paraguay, who had been eradicated from the competitors.
The Actual Madrid ahead scored twice for the Selecao, who opened the event with a colorless goalless draw towards Costa Rica on Monday, whereas Savinho and Lucas Paqueta had been additionally on course on the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Dorival Junior’s aspect subsequently closed in on a quarter-final spot by shifting onto 4 factors in Group D – two behind leaders Colombia, who they’ll be a part of within the final eight with a draw when the nations meet of their closing group outing on Tuesday.
In the meantime, Omar Alderete’s fantastic long-range strike proved tutorial for Paraguay, as La Albirroja bowed out following their second successive defeat, which was compounded by a late Andres Cubas crimson card.
Brazil had been introduced with a golden alternative to interrupt the impasse on the half-hour mark. Referee Piero Maza Gomez pointed straight to the penalty spot as Paqueta’s shot struck Cubas’ arm, however the West Ham midfielder might solely fireplace broad from 12 yards out.
However, Brazil broke by means of 4 minutes later as a stunning transfer culminated in Vinicius latching onto Paqueta’s throughball, and drilling below Rodrigo Morinigo’s dive.
The Selecao doubled their lead when Savinho tapped dwelling within the forty third minute, and it was 3-0 in stoppage time – albeit in lucky circumstances – as Alderete’s tried stabbed clearance ricocheted again into the online off the onrushing Vinicius.
The Paraguay centre-half atoned for his mistake in spectacular vogue three minutes after the restart, with an excellent 25-yard volley lowering the deficit.
Alisson Becker then pushed Julio Enciso’s harmful curling strike away throughout a formidable spell by Daniel Garnero’s aspect.
Nonetheless, any hopes they’d of a fightback had been quashed within the sixty fourth minute when Mathias Villasanti was adjudged to have dealt with Savinho’s shot, with Paqueta making no mistake from the spot this time.
Paraguay’s distress was compounded with 9 minutes remaining, when Cubas was given his marching orders for lashing out at Douglas Luiz.
B R A S I L
A Seleção Brasileira encerra o jogo com resultado gigante contra o Paraguai. 4×1 e seguimos firmes para o próximo confronto, terça-feira (2) contra a Colômbia.
Vamos por mais! É só o começo
: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF#ThisIsBrasil #CopaAmerica2024… pic.twitter.com/QeOCtF3e2z
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 29, 2024
Vinicius on the double in Brazil victory
This had the potential to be awkward for Brazil, who had been winless of their final 5 Copa America conferences with Paraguay, they usually had been recent from that disappointing draw with Costa Rica.
The Selecao loved 74% of possession, accomplished 695 passes and registered 19 photographs of their opener, however to no avail.
Nonetheless, they scored from 4 of their six makes an attempt on course immediately to tighten their grip on second place in Group D, and all however safe their quarter-final spot – with third-place Costa Rica requiring a six-goal swing to displace Dorival’s aspect.
Having recorded the bottom tallies of touches (45) and passes (23) by any outfield starter for Brazil on matchday one, Vinicius regarded again to his greatest right here with essentially the most targets (two), dribbles (17), duels (21) and touches in opposition field (11).of any participant.
Savinho – introduced into the beginning line-up after his spectacular cameo from the bench towards Costa Rica – additionally acquired in on the act together with his first senior worldwide objective.
Powerless Paraguay bow out
Paraguay do have pedigree relating to the Copa America. Two-time winners in 1953 and 1979, they arrived in the US having solely suffered two group-stage exits within the twenty first century.
Nonetheless, it was La Albirroja’s total report that was the priority, having solely registered three wins from a attainable 15 heading into this recreation.
They’d additionally misplaced every of their 18 earlier matches when conceding the primary objective, so issues regarded pretty ominous when Vinicius broke by means of and paved the way in which for Brazil’s late first-half flurry.
To their credit score, Paraguay responded properly after the break with Alderete’s fantastic objective and Enciso testing Alisson, they usually managed to match the Selecao’s six photographs on course all through the competition.
However, overturning such a deficit was at all times going to be a troublesome ask, and Brazil ultimately acquired again on observe to see out a snug victory, which suggests Garnero’s aspect be a part of Jamaica within the departure lounge.