This was the evening that Brazil arrived on the 2024 Copa America.
4 objectives — together with two from Vinicius Junior — and Lucas Paqueta stepping as much as convert a penalty after horribly skewing a first-half try from 12 yards huge capped a profitable evening in Las Vegas for Brazil.
Paraguay pulled one again by Omar Alderete simply after half time and had Adrian Cubas despatched off late on.
Jack Lang and Thom Harris digest the important thing speaking factors…
Did Vinicius Jr make his mark on the match?
Oh sure. Minute one. Actual Madrid star Vinicius Jr receives the ball on the left flank, seems to be up, and runs. “Yep”, 30,000 spectators appeared to gleam directly, “he’s within the temper.”
On his day, there are few footballing experiences prefer it — and this was undoubtedly his brightest day sporting the heavy shirt of Brazil. By the third minute, he had already careered into the penalty space 3 times, every time at full pelt, with out a flicker of hesitation on his thoughts.
By half-time, Vinicius Jr had tried 13 take-ons, every seemingly extra ludicrous than the final. Nutmegs, shimmys, and blast after blast of pure tempo; he lifted a fizzling Las Vegas crowd virtually by himself.
The head of the dribbling clinic got here moments earlier than his opening purpose, as he produced an audacious rainbow flick earlier than passing the ball by Damian Bobadilla’s legs. The play resets, and he darts inside to latch onto a magical Paqueta cross, earlier than sliding underneath the goalkeeper and into the again of the web.
The tips turned so relentless that he sparked a brawl simply earlier than half-time, earlier than his second purpose arrived in comical circumstances, deflecting dwelling a poor goalkeeper clearance after tearing into the penalty space to shut him down.
This was arguably the evening Vinicius reignited his worldwide profession.
Thom Harris
Paqueta’s penalty redemption
There was an attention-grabbing on-pitch debate when Brazil had been awarded their second penalty of the evening, simply after the hour mark. The primary man to seize the ball was Rodrygo, who casually walked over to the penalty spot. He was then joined by Vinicius Jr, Lucas Paqueta — each of whom seemed considering taking it — and Eder Militao.
Vinicius was on a hat-trick, after all, and would have been totally justified in placing his foot down. As a substitute, they collectively determined to provide Paqueta the possibility to make amends for his earlier miss. There have been a couple of groans from the gang however Vinicius advised them to settle down, whereas Bruno Guimaraes planted two good-luck kisses on Paqueta’s head.
The penalty, ultimately, was a great one and restored Brazil’s three-goal lead. It can’t have completed any hurt to group spirit, both.
Jack Lang
Did Paraguay play into Brazil’s palms?
Paraguay have by no means been thought of powerhouses in South American football however they’ve lengthy been identified for being… effectively, a nightmare to play towards. Their sport is often primarily based on physicality, grit and not-so-occasional detours into the darkish arts. It’s not all the time fairly — OK, it’s hardly fairly — but it surely has pissed off the continent’s massive groups on many events over time.
Going into this sport, Brazil had been fearing the worst. Journalists questioned whether or not Paraguay would possibly take a leaf from Costa Rica’s guide and play a again 5. Both manner, the expectation was that the Albirroja would sit deep and attempt to grind out a end result.
Tensions bubbled over in first-half added time (Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Pictures)
Within the occasion, it didn’t actually occur like that. Daniel Garnero named a comparatively daring beginning XI, with the intelligent Bobadilla coming into the facet. Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron spent the primary half swapping positions behind striker Alex Arce. They went at Brazil with the ball, committing males ahead with each assault.
It labored a deal with… for Brazil. There have been a few minor scares, however Paraguay’s techniques made the pitch larger for the Selecao, leaving large areas for Vinicius Jr and Savio — who was additionally on the scoresheet — to assault. They duly made hay and Brazil eased themselves right into a lead that they by no means seemed more likely to give up. Paraguay, in the meantime, will likely be questioning whether or not they need to have caught extra intently to their historic DNA.
Jack Lang
Joao Gomes, Brazil’s midfield highwayman?
On the eve of the match, Brazil coach Dorival Junior was requested whether or not enjoying two defensive-minded midfielders — Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes — towards opponents like Costa Rica and Paraguay was overkill. The implication was clear: many really feel that Gomes ought to make manner for a extra progressive passer so as to give Brazil a bit extra high quality going ahead.
Dorival made it clear that deciding on each is a hill he’s prepared to die on.
“It was enjoying these two that allowed us to recuperate the ball and begin attacking once more after we had been already within the remaining third,” he stated.
Gomes shields the ball (Buda Mendes/Getty Pictures)
The controversy will rage on, however there was some vindication on the Allegiant Stadium. No matter you make of the steadiness of the facet, Gomes is solely a first-class ball-stealer, a real highwayman of the midfield. Time and time once more he emerged with possession after a bodily problem, typically towards a couple of opponent. Normally it was seconds after Paraguay had received the ball again, too.
“No playmaker on the earth could be nearly as good as a great counter-pressing scenario,” Jurgen Klopp as soon as stated. Brazil haven’t been large exponents of that tactic in recent times — you strive any type of urgent with Neymar within the group — however Gomes is a fairly helpful one-man resolution.
Jack Lang
What do Brazil have to do to succeed in the quarter-finals?
If Brazil beat Colombia of their remaining sport they’ll advance to the knockout part as Group D winners.
If Brazil and Colombia draw, Brazil will undergo as group runners-up.
They may also advance with a defeat if Costa Rica fail to beat Paraguay within the different sport
In the event that they lose and Costa Rica beat Paraguay whereas additionally overturning the purpose differential, Brazil could be out.
The purpose differential presently stands at six with Brazil on +3 and Costa Rica on -3.
What’s subsequent for every group?
Brazil vs. Colombia — Tuesday, July 2, 9:00 p.m. ET (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA)
Costa Rica vs. Paraguay — Tuesday, July 2, 9:00 p.m. ET (Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX)
Required studying
(Prime photograph: Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Pictures)
