Brazil crush Paraguay 4-1 in Copa America 2024; Vinicius Jr. shines with brace

Seleção bounces back from Costa Rica draw, climbs to second in Group D standings.

After suffering a shock stalemate against Costa Rica in their opening match, tournament favorites Brazil looked to get their 2024 Copa America campaign back on track with a much-needed win as they faced Paraguay in an exciting Group D encounter at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Brazil started the game on the front foot, putting early pressure on Paraguay’s end with crisp buildup from back to front. However, Paraguay had the first big chance of the match when Damian Bobadilla’s deflected shot was met with a diving save by goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

With half an hour gone, the Seleção Canarinho had the perfect opportunity to take the lead through a penalty after a handball by midfielder Andrés Cubas in the penalty area. Lucas Paqueta stepped up for the spot kick, but his tame effort was comfortably parried away by goalkeeper Rodrigo Morínigo, keeping the scoreline at 0-0.

The missed penalty didn’t prove costly, as Brazil eventually took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute when, following a beautiful buildup, winger Vinicius Junior finessed a clean shot into the net. Brazil doubled their advantage quickly, as Girona winger Sávio found the back of the net in the 43rd minute.

With a healthy cushion, Dorival Junior’s side entered party mode, taking a 3-0 lead in first-half stoppage time through Vinicius Junior, who chipped in another goal through the Paraguayan defense. Brazil was in complete control heading into the break.

Paraguay started the second half with a bang, as center-back Omar Alderete muscled in a long-range effort to pull a goal back for his side in the 48th minute, making it 3-1. With momentum shifting, La Albirroja nearly scored a quickfire second when Julio Enciso’s shot was swatted away by Alisson Becker.

Just as the game was heating up, Brazil was awarded another penalty for handball. To complete his redemption arc, Lucas Paqueta stepped up again and successfully dispatched it, giving Brazil a 4-1 lead in the 65th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for Paraguay as they were reduced to 10 men for the final ten minutes of the match after Andrés Cubas was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

Brazil completed a dominant 4-1 win against Paraguay, taking them to second place in the Group D standings with four points and moving them a step closer to the knockout rounds of the 2024 Copa America.

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