The match between the Paraguay National Football Team and the Brazil National Football Team occurred on June 28, 2024, during the Copa America 2024 championship.
The match was conducted at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the match started at 9 PM ET. Brazil won the match confidently with the score of 4-1, which was Brazil’s first victory in the tournament following their draw with Costa Rica in their first match.
Let’s together explore Paraguay National Football team vs Brazil National Football team lineups.
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Match Overview
The Copa America 2024 was exciting as usual, and surely among the most awaited encounter was the clash between the Paraguay National Football Team and the Brazil National Football Team. Brazil was looking to bounce back from a poor opening game against Costa Rica, while Paraguay was looking to redeem the narrow loss against Colombia, an encounter which took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paraguay National Football team vs Brazil National Football team lineups
Paraguay National Football Team
Paraguay National Football Team:
Paraguay took to the pitch with a 4-3-3 formation, which is a typical and tactical approach to the game, attacking from a solid defensive setup and quick counter-attacks. The first eleven players (starting lineup) featured:
- Goalkeeper: Rodrigo Morinigo
- Defenders: Matias Espinoza, Omar Alderete, Fabian Balbuena, Gustavo Velazquez
- Midfielders: Andres Cubas, Mathias Villasanti, Damian Bobadilla
- Forwards: Julio Enciso, Alex Arce, Miguel Almiron
It showed good mix of youth and experience lineup and had Julio Enciso, who scored his first international goal in the previous game, looking to make a difference in this game. The midfield played both defensive and attacking roles while looking to get the ball forward quickly to the forwards.
Brazil National Football Team
Brazil National Football Team:
Brazil started the match in a 4-2-3-1 format, symbolizing their attack intent and desire for possession control. The starting lineup was comprised of:
- Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
- Defenders: Danilo, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Wendell
- Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz
- Forwards: Savio, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior; Rodrygo leading the attack
With key players such as Vinicius Junior and Lucas Paqueta (both exceptionally skilled) in the lineup, Brazil sought to leverage their speed and ingenuity in the final third. The inclusion of seasoned defenders—like Marquinhos—ensured stability at the back; this was crucial because they aimed to maintain possession.
Match Highlights
The match started off with Brazil looking to get a victory after their draw in the previous one. They got a penalty early into the game when Lucas Paqueta narrowly missed the target. Still, they stabilized quickly from there:
1. First Half Goals:
- Vinicius Junior opened the scoring with a tap-in.
- Savio scored his first international goal shortly after.
- Vinicius added another before halftime, and this settled the score at 3-0.
2. Second Half Developments:
- Paraguay managed to pull one back through Omar Alderete.
- Paqueta secured the victory for Brazil with a fourth goal.
Overall, Brazil won with 4-1, underlining their capability of scoring while showing fragility and areas for improvement in Paraguay’s defense in certain aspects.
Tactical Analysis
Paraguayan Strategy:
Paraguay was heavily reliant on ensuring a compact defense and quickly seeking opportunities on the break. The midfield trio tried to disrupt Brazil’s rhythm but were unsuccessful in breaking down Brazil’s fluid movement and quick passing. There was not too much sustained offensive pressure, which then enabled Brazil to control possession.
Brazil’s Strategy:
Brazil’s formation allowed them to exploit wide areas effectively. With Vinicius Junior and Savio providing width and pace on the flanks, they stretched Paraguay’s defense. The midfield duo of Guimaraes and Luiz played pivotal roles in linking defense and attack while also contributing defensively to regain possession quickly.
How did the Red Card impact Paraguay’s strategy
How did the Red Card impact Paraguay’s strategy
The red card issued to Andres Cubas against Brazil in the Copa America 2024 meant that Paraguay had to devise some new strategy and performance for the rest of the match.
1. Worsened Defensive Stability:
With Cubas sent off for a rash tackle, Paraguay was reduced to ten men. This loss of a midfielder weakened their ability to maintain defensive shape and control the midfield, which was crucial against an onslaught by a dominant Brazilian team.
2. Shift to a More Defensive Formation
Immediately after the red card, Paraguay must have expected to play most of their game in a defensive setup. Normally, this requires dropping one or more of the three up forward back into midfield or defense to compensate for the numerical disadvantage. This can lead to a more cautious type of game management, primarily directed at containment rather than attack.
3. Added Pressure on Remaining Players:
Consequently, the remaining players had to work extra hard to cover for the lack of Cubas. That often results in fatigue and can lead to very costly errors when against a high-pressing team like Brazil that thrives on errors left behind at the back.
4. Limited Offensive Chances:
With fewer players in midfield, Paraguay found difficult transitions from defense to attack. Their counter-attacks became weak, which was a hard-hit area to breach while creating scoring chances and mounting lots of pressure on their defense.
5. Psychological Impact:
The red card also influences the team’s general morale and confidence. Playing with ten men against a tougher opponent will no doubt bring frustrations, which then adversely impact performances.
Conclusion
The Paraguay-Brazil match in Copa America 2024 was enlightening to both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Brazil showed their attacking prowess and team depth, but Paraguay, especially on defense, still needs to review their strategies ahead of the rest of the competition.
Lastly, red cards not only changed the ways of playing but also forced Paraguay into a reactive strategy that eventually lead to their defeat because they could hardly cope with Brazilian attackers in such circumstances.
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