After a handful of exciting Copa America opening games, the tournament had started to reach its business end. With Chile playing their last match on the group stage, nothing less than three points would have quenched their thirst.
While the Paraguayan had proved to be the dark horses of group-A. A loss against Argentina might seem like a fair result but they did fabricate a handful of chances for them to equalise the scoring.
#Albirroja ⚪🔴
📷 Samudio y su primer gol con la #Albirroja ⚪🔴 ¡Vamos Braian!
🗓️ CONMEBOL @CopaAmerica – Grupo A – Fecha 4#ElSueñoQueNosUne 🇵🇾#PoneteLaAlbirroja 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/Fj5EGTxhY4
— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) June 25, 2021
Once again in Brasilia, Paraguay looked to spoil Chile’s party. A brilliant first-half performance was rounded off by a thunderous header. While Chile looked to find their openings, the Paraguayan shot-stopper rarely participated in his team’s action.
¡FINAL DEL PARTIDO! La @Albirroja venció 2-0 a @LaRoja por el Grupo A de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica. Los goles fueron de Braian Samudio y Miguel Almirón de penal.
🇨🇱 Chile 🆚 Paraguay 🇵🇾#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/wmGy7L69OI
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 25, 2021
After the break, Chile looked at a more comfortable side. Exploring some beautiful passing options and sneaking into spaces, Chile looked to stamp its authority. But a needless tackle by experienced campaigner, Gary Medel 15 minutes into the half gave their rivals a penalty.
Talisman Almiron converted the penalty as Paraguay doubled their advantage as Chile looked like shadows of themselves losing their last game of the Group stage.
PARAGUAY BREAK THE DEADLOCK
The Copa America Group-A puzzle was slowly falling to its place. With La Albiceleste showing sheer domination, they occupied the group’s throne. The Champions of Copa America Centenario failed to establish their authority in the group. But after locking horns with both Argentina and Uruguay, La Roja had the easier fixtures in front of them. Paraguay’s bravery was on display when they faced Argentina a few days back, disturbing Lionel Scaloni’s tactics throughout the game.
Estas fueron las acciones más destacadas del primer tiempo entre @LaRoja y la @Albirroja, que gana 1-0 con gol de Braian Samudio.
🇨🇱 Chile 🆚 Paraguay 🇵🇾#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/DN2rio512g
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 25, 2021
On Thursday when the two armies came face-to-face, the pundits predicted Chile to stop the Paraguayan march. But to everyone’s surprise, Los Guaraníes were the first team to break the shackles in Brasilia. La Albirroja were looking to trouble Claudio Bravo with a galaxy of crosses, especially from the right flank. A corner in the 33rd minute earned Paraguay their much-deserved lead. Almiron’s divine delivery on the back post screamed “Head me in”, “Head me in” and Braian Samudio didn’t disappoint his teammates, smashing a jaw-dropping header as Bravo was rooted to his spot. The net bulged giving Paraguay an advantage which they shrewdly carried till the break.
PARAGUAY SCORE
Chile came all guns blazing in the second half of the match. Dominating possession, delivering beautiful crosses and smashing a few thunderous strikes. They produced a better performance in the first few minutes of the second half than they did in the first period. But all these minutes of hard work were thrown away by a sleepy Chilean defence. A fantastic move from the right before a cheeky ball was lobbed to Gonzalez. The veteran Paraguayan striker was unfortunately sandwiched by two Chile defenders.
#Albirroja ⚪🔴
📷😃🔟
🗓️ CONMEBOL @CopaAmerica – Grupo A – Fecha 4#ElSueñoQueNosUne 🇵🇾#PoneteLaAlbirroja 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/BaYxPrJ1Zk
— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) June 25, 2021
Arturo Vidal was covering him from the front while Gary Medel had his arms all over Gonzalez’s outfit. La Roja’s childish defending skills and unnecessary physicality gave Paraguay a spot-kick. Gonzalez fell on the ground and the referee had no hesitation while pointing to the spot. Newcastle striker Miguel Almiron stepped up to take the spot-kick. After a delay of two or three minutes, Almiron beautifully fooled Claudio Bravo, sending him the other way doubling his squad’s lead. Paraguay was 2-0 up in just 60 minutes which gave Chile tons of work to do before the final whistle.
NO PENALTY FOR LA ROJA
Chile rarely found pockets of spaces in the second half. A lacklustre Chilean side couldn’t provide Eduardo Vargas with the necessary services as the forward was left alone. The midfielder’s had zero communication while the defence forgot to keep their backline intact. Paraguay took complete advantage of the Chilean loopholes scoring twice on both sides of the half racing up to the second spot in Group-A. Although Chile sniffed an opportunity, the technology broke their hearts.
🇨🇱 Chile 0 🆚 2 Paraguay 🇵🇾
⏱️ 60´
⚽ 🇵🇾 Braian Samudio (33’)
⚽ 🇵🇾 Migue Almirón -p- (58’)#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/ZCxAFUlMp1— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 25, 2021
A looping cross into Paraguay’s box was met by Gonzalez’s head and then his hand. As soon as the ball landed and the move fizzled out, the army of red began protesting in front of the official. After minutes and minutes of consultation, the referee was summoned to have a look himself. But unfortunately, he didn’t change his decision as Chile were left surprised. Arturo Vidal led the Chilean protest, constantly complaining to the referee and having a verbal argument with the official. 9 minutes of extra time also couldn’t wake up the Chilean flair and creativity as Paraguay brushed aside Chile 2-0.
