Junior scores twice to lead Brazil to 4-1 win over Paraguay in Copa America group stage
Brazil's Vinicius Junior, right, celebrates with teammate Rodrygo after scoring his side's third goal during a Copa America Group D soccer match against Paraguay, in Las Vegas, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vinícius Junior scored two first-half goals to lead Brazil to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night and put itself in position to advance out of Group D in the Copa America.
Savinho also scored a first-half goal for Brazil and Lucas Paqueta scored on a penalty kick in the second half. Omar Alderete scored Paraguay's goal.
There were plenty of tense moments with five yellow cards and a red handed out. Andres Cubas was sent off for a red card in the 81st minute, forcing Paraguay to play the last part of the match down a man. Yellow cards were handed to Brazil’s Wendell, Junior and Paqueta and Paraguay’s Fabian Balbuena and Hernesto Caballero.
Brazil's Savinho (20) celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Paraguay with teammate Vinicius Junior during a Copa America Group D soccer match in Las Vegas, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)
The victory was quite a response for the Seleção Canarinho, who opened the tournament Tuesday with a scoreless draw against Costa Rica despite outshooting their opponent 18-2.
With four points, Brazil is two behind group leader Colombia, which defeated Costa Rica 3-0 earlier Friday. A victory or tie by Brazil against Colombia on Tuesday ensures one of the group's two spots in the knockout stage. Brazil also has a six-goal differential advantage over Costa Rica, so a loss likely won't keep out the nine-time Copa America champions.
Brazil's Wendell, right, clears the ball away from Paraguay's Julio Enciso during a Copa America Group D soccer match in Las Vegas, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)
Brazil has had its difficulties against Paraguay in Copa America play, having drawn in their previous five meetings. That tied for the second-longest unbeaten streak against Brazil in this tournament, which Paraguay also was part of from 1963-83.
But Brazil won the most recent meeting, defeating Paraguay 4-0 two years ago in World Cup qualifying, and there was little doubt about the outcome of this match after two late goals broke it open in what was a contentious end to the first half.
Moments after teammate Bruno Guimaraes hit the crossbar, Savinho put Brazil up 2-0 in the 43rd minute.
Both teams got into a scrum in extra time, with Chilean referee Piero Maza Gomez handing yellow cards to Wendell and Balbuena at three-plus minutes. Then Junior delivered the crushing blow five minutes into extra time
A fan supporting Brazil waits for the start of a Copa America Group D soccer match against Paraguay in Las Vegas, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Paraguay had its chances and even outshot Brazil 8-5, including 4-3 on goal. Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a tremendous save diving to his right to prevent a goal from Damián Bobodilla 15 minutes into the match.
A fan supporting Brazil waits for the start of a Copa America Group D soccer match against Paraguay in Las Vegas, Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Early in the second half, however, Alderete scored to close the deficit to 3-1.
Then 17 minutes later, Paqueta made up for a missed penalty kick in the first half by converting to give back Brazil its three-goal lead.
Brazil coach Dorival Júnior made a bold and controversial move by deciding not to start Raphinha. The move, with national team legend Neymar watching from the stands, clearly paid off.
Raphinha was a late-game substitute, entering the match at the 72nd minute in place of Savinho.
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AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america
Mark Anderson, The Associated Press