11/1/2024
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Brazil trounce Paraguay to eye Copa America last eight
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    Sunday June 30, 2024

    Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil all but secured a spot into the Copa America quarterfinals on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

    Real Madrid forward Vinicius netted either side of a Savinho strike before Omar Alderete reduced the deficit with a long-range effort.

    Lucas Paqueta made up for an earlier penalty miss by converting from the spot just after the hour as Brazil clinched its first win of the tournament.

    The result leaves the five-time World Cup winner second in Group D with four points, two points behind Colombia and three ahead of third-placed Costa Rica. The Selecao also has a plus-three goal difference - six ahead of Costa Rica - with one group-stage match remaining.

    Paraguay is already guaranteed of elimination, having lost each of its first two matches.

    Paqueta squandered the chance to put his side ahead just after the half-hour at Allegiant Stadium when he sent his penalty attempt wide following an Andres Cubas hand ball.

    But he went some way to making amends moments later as his delightful through ball found Vinicius, who dashed away from his marker and slotted a shot below goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo.

    Girona forward Savinho extended the lead by tapping in from close range after Rodrygo's shot was parried clear by Morinigo.

    Brazil's confidence grew by the minute and it extended its lead on the stroke of halftime through Vinicius, who stabbed home a first-time effort after Alderete's errant clearance.

    Paraguay emerged from the interval with a renewed sense of purpose and Alderete atoned for his earlier error by controlling a high ball with his chest and thumping an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the bottom-right corner.

    But Brazil continued to attack and it was awarded another penalty when Mathias Villasanti was deemed to have blocked Savinho's attempt on goal with his left arm.

    Paqueta again stepped up for the spot-kick and this time the West Ham midfielder calmly chipped his shot into the bottom right corner.

    Paraguay was reduced to 10 men nine minutes from time after Cubas' studs up challenge on Douglas Luiz earned the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder a straight red card.

    Brazil controlled the match thereafter as it put its campaign back on track following a goalless draw with Costa Rica last Monday.

    Earlier, Colombia booked a place in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, a result that extended the Cafeteros' winning sequence to 10 games.

     





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